OPP say human remains recovered from the waters of the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. are that of a female child.
Investigators say emergency crews were called out to the scene in Haldimand County just before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday after the body was discovered by two fisherman along the banks of the river.
“The deceased, approximately one to four years of age, had been in the water for a period of time,” Const. Mary Gagliardi said in a release.
A post-mortem examination is set to be conducted at the office of the chief coroner in Toronto on Thursday.
The OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch is leading the probe and say the case is being treated as a homicide.
Detective Inspector Shawn Glassford told Global News officers have come up empty after combing missing persons databases in Canada and the U.S. as of Wednesday night.
He believes the body has likely been there for some time and are looking at the possibility that it was relocated to the Dunnville area via water flow.
“The answer lies in the community,” Glassford said.
“Somebody may have told a story about where the child is, that might not have rung true at the time. We’re asking those people, anybody with information to call the tip line.”
Police have created a tip line to assist with the investigation. Anyone with information can call 1-844-677-9403.