The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed Sunday that a toddler’s body found in a Houston bayou last week is that of Maliyah Bass.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a jogger found the 2-year-old’s body floating in Brays Bayou, off of the 5200 block of Carrolton Street in SW Houston on August 23. So far, a cause of death has not been confirmed.
Maliyah was last seen playing in the playground of the Sunset Crossing apartments in SW Houston on August 22.
The child’s mother, Sahara Ervin, told Fox 7 that she had been watching from a nearby window as Maliyah played at the apartment complex playground. Ervin said she turned away momentarily and when she looked back, her daughter was gone.
“This is really devastating to me. Who could be watching my baby to even snatch her from the park?” Ervin asked.
On August 24, Ervin, who sought out the help of community activist Quannel X, was met by a mob of angry community members who screamed and shouted at her. Some tried to charge at her. Quannel X’s team escorted Ervin and her boyfriend into the apartment before anyone got hurt.
Quannel X ultimately chose not to represent Ervin but said he would continue to help find the truth.
“Who kidnapped the child? Was she ever kidnapped? We don’t know yet but it doesn’t pass the smell test,” he said, according to Click 2 Houston.
“No responsible parent would leave their child on the playground like that for 5 minutes knowing it’s a high crime area and shut the door behind them.”
Ervin’s boyfriend, Travion Thompson, said in an emotional interview with KHOU 11 that he and Ervin had nothing to do with Maliyah’s disappearance.
“They have the nerve to get on Facebook and bash me and my girlfriend like we did something.”
No suspects have been publicly announced. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said, however, that he was “highly confident” that foul play occurred.
“If you live or have a business by the bayou, roll back for the last 24 hours and take an extensive look at any camera you might have,” Acevedo said. “If you saw anything suspicious in the last 24 hours, just anything that’s happened along this bayou, just call us right away.”
Anyone with additional information on the case should contact police at 713-222-TIPS.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Maliyah Bass/Facebook]
