In a deeply distressing incident, Prince McCree, a five-year-old resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who was reported missing, was found dead just a day after.
His mother last spotted him at approximately 9 a.m. on October 25.
Following his sudden disappearance, both the local community and law enforcement officials began a vigorous search, hoping to find the young boy alive and safe.
The Milwaukee Police Department disclosed that Prince’s body was found close to Hawley Road, particularly on the 5500 block of W. Vliet Street. This location is roughly a mile away from his home. The discovery was made at 9 a.m. on October 26.
The Milwaukee Police Department has since started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young boy’s death, treating it as a potential homicide.
While investigators are still determining the exact reason behind Prince McCree’s tragic death, they have arrested two individuals as potential links to the case. These individuals are David Pietura, 27, and a teen, Erik Mendoza, 15.
Interestingly, both Pietura and Mendoza shared the same residence as the McCrees. The exact nature of their association with Prince and his family is still under investigation.
State Senator LaTonya Johnson, a neighbor to the McCree family, when discussing with journalists, indicated that the specific familial connections between the two arrested suspects and the McCrees remain unknown.
Mendoza faces a range of charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, causing a child’s death through physical abuse, hiding a deceased body, and three charges related to recklessly endangering safety using a deadly weapon. Due to the seriousness of the accusations and his age, he will be tried as an adult. Pietura also faces charges tied to the boy’s death.
Alderman Michael J. Murphy, deeply affected by the news of Prince’s death, emphasized that any act of harm or negligence towards children is utterly inexcusable.
To pay tribute to Prince, a vigil was held in his honor over the past weekend.
The inquiry into the case continues, and the police are urging anyone with additional insights to come forward.