Remains of 3 children were likely in a wooded area ‘for several years' before discovery, Memphis police say

U.S. newsRemains of 3 children were likely in a wooded area 'for several years' before discovery, Memphis police sayTwo skulls and other bones consistent with human remains were found in the area, police said. The children are believed to have been between 3 and 7 years old.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis on Wednesday.WMCShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 22, 2026, 9:24 PM EDTBy Marlene LenthangThe remains of three young children, believed to be between the ages of 3 and 7, were discovered in Memphis after likely having been in a wooded area for years, officials announced Wednesday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.It's believed the remains were in the Ridge Meadow Parkway for “a few years,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis said in a news conference.“This is heartbreaking, is disturbing, and at this time, we have numerous resources to help us to identify these young people and bring closure to this investigation," she said.The investigation began on March 8 when an anonymous caller reported a possible human skull near a wooded area in the 3400 block of Ridge Meadow Parkway, police said. Responding officers found what appeared to be a human skull at the edge of the woods. During a subsequent canvass of the area, cadaver dogs alerted to a nearby drainage pipe, indicating possible human remains, according to officials. The drain system was inspected using a camera system on March 16, and on April 1 investigators assessed the drainage system and located what appeared to be an additional skull, police said. The next day, search teams conducted another coordinated canvass and recovered “14 additional bones consistent with human remains,” Davis said. She said the remains are believed to be from three children, and the investigation is underway to determine their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. An o...