The body of a small child was found in the woods in Sterling, Mass., Friday. Officials say the remains could belong to 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver — whose disappearance late last summer raised serious questions about the state Department of Children and Families.
Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early gave minimal information at a brief afternoon news conference.
"The body is consistent in height and weight with that of Jeremiah Oliver, the 5-year-old from Fitchburg who has been missing since last September," he said.
The body was found wrapped in a blanket, inside a suitcase, about 40 feet from I-190.
Early says he’s waiting for the medical examiner to conduct an autopsy and positively identify the remains before releasing more details.
Jeremiah Oliver has been missing since September and has long been feared dead. His mother and her boyfriend are being held on bail for child abuse charges.
The child was under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families when he went missing. His disappearance led to the firing of three staff members, set off a series of hearings and investigations and led to calls for the commissioner to resign.
