The police is now dealing with a flood of responses after a plea for public help in identifying a dead toddler who was found on the Boston Harbor shore late last month. Only known as "Baby Doe," the little girl's body was found by a woman walking her dog on Deer Island, an area in the Boston Harbor that contains the waste water treatment plant. She was found inside a trash bag along with a blanket, wearing polka-dot leggings.
With the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Massachusetts State Police was able to release a photograph-quality image of Baby Doe based on images taken during the autopsy. The picture was posted on social media and it has so far generated 40 million views on Facebook, reported USA Today. The page, which was specifically created by the police, has already gained almost 50,000 comments, underscoring the massive interest in the case. The police described the girl as "approximately 4 years old at the time of her death, had brown eyes and brown hair, weighed about 30 pounds and stood about three and a half feet tall," stated the Facebook page.
Authorities are still quiet about the cause of death, and the police will not confirm whether the toddler's body was washed up on shore or she was left to die by an individual. Divers have already scoured the coastline for clues, with the help of the Coast Guard, without much success, according to Fox News.
The police expressed its gratitude, particularly for the high degree of public engagement. However, in a USA Today interview, Trooper Dustin Fitch stressed that Baby Doe "still needs a name." Police continue to ask for help, indicating a slow progress in solving the heartbreaking case of the dead toddler.
The public is advised to be on alert for children missing in their communities. For those who have information, the Massachusetts State Police can be reached at 508-820-2121, the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817 or Winthrop Police at 617-539-5806.
