UPDATE 7/7/23 2:45 p.m.
The suspect in the disappearance and death of a Lansing girl, 26-year-old Rashad Trice, has received federal charges of Kidnapping a Minor and Kidnapping Resulting in Death.
If Trice is convicted for the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison.
7/5/23 10:27 p.m.
The Lansing Police Department says they have found the body of missing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith from Lansing.
Wynter went missing after her mother was stabbed on Sunday night. Police believe the suspect, Rashad Trice, took the toddler after the attack. The suspect was found and arrested on Monday near Detroit, but Wynter was not with him.
The Lansing Police Department, with the help of the FBI, say they found Wynter Cole-Smith dead in an overgrown alley behind a home on Detroit’s east side on Wednesday. They say her death was a homicide.
Lansing Police are still seeking tips to help them determine how Wynter was killed.
7/5/23 1:30 p.m.
The FBI in Detroit announced Wednesday that the search for Wynter is still active, and they are following several leads.
Law enforcement officials continue to work together with help from the community and Wynter’s family to find her. The FBI warns anyone helping the suspect hide Wynter that they will face criminal charges.
In addition to their search update, they say Wynter’s mother remains in a local hospital but is in stable condition after being stabbed.
The suspect, 26-year-old Rashad Maleek Trice from Detroit, has been charged with Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree, Home Invasion 1st Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment, Aggravated Domestic Violence Second Offense, Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile and Felonious Assault. Trice was charged as a violent habitual fourth offender.
Anyone with information on 2-year-old Wynter’s whereabouts should submit tips to http://tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
7/4/23 9 a.m.
The FBI is now involved in the search for 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.
They say she and her 1-year-old brother were in their apartment on the night of July 2 when Wynter’s mom was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, Rashad Trice. The mom left the apartment and called police. They say Trice stole a car, which he later crashed, and was arrested about 90 miles away in St. Clair Shores. Wynter’s brother was found safe in the apartment, but Wynter has not been seen since.
The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading tot he location of Wynter.
7/3/23 11:45 a.m.
The Lansing Police Department is still looking for a missing 2-year-old after arresting her alleged kidnapper.
Rashad Trice was arrested in St. Clair Shores early Monday morning. He was last seen with 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith on Sunday around 11:30 p.m. in Lansing.
If you see Winter or have any information, please call the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600 or call Crime Stoppers at 517-483-7867.
