Bridget Elam, the grandmother of 17-month-old Ziya Turner, says her son passed a polygraph. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
"When he went to check on him, he [saw] my two-year-old grandson. He was in the bed asleep. The rest of the kids [were] sitting up watching cartoons. He said he noticed Ziya wasn't in the room," said Bridget Elam.
Elam remembering a full house of grandchildren Friday when she says her little 17-month-old granddaughter, Ziya Turner, was nowhere to be found suddenly.
"He checked the whole house. He checked everything in my house. Like I said, it didn't dawn on any of us to check the closet because it never crossed our mind[s]. We were like cabinets, maybe the refrigerator, you know, bathroom, anywhere, you know, we just searched under the bed, we searched everywhere. Then he said he came outside, he searched. He searched the garage. He searched under the house. He didn't see her, so he got on his bike."
Ziya was found in a closet with clothes on top of her. She was last seen with her cousins, who were watching television. A 28-year-old was in her room on the home on Brinker Street, an 18-year-old in another part of the house, and the group of kids, Ziya's cousins, and a 21-year-old uncle left in charge. He was interviewed by police. In fact, he asked to take a polygraph.
Elam was adamant about what happened, saying the uncle did not fail the polygraph and was cleared and released.
"My son was never arrested. My son was never in custody. My son took it upon himself to tell the detective and the police if you all think I did anything to my niece, give me a polygraph test. They took him to Dearborn. The gave him one. He passed his polygraph test."
Sources inside the investigation confirm for Fox 2 what Elam says, that 21-year-old uncle did not fail the polygraph. In fact his story, they say, does check out. So now the investigation begs this question, was this an accident at the hands of other children in the room?
The polygraph, sources say, was inconclusive. The same sources tell us there were there were no signs of deadly trauma to the child's body.
"My gut is telling me it was an accident," said Elam.
Meanwhile, Detroit Police told us Monday there is no new information officially to be released.
So, as that family now plans for a funeral, there is a candlelight vigil planned for Friday between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. on Brinker Street.
There will be a public viewing for Ziya Turner on Sunday, July 8 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Chapel Funeral Home, 20226 West McNichols in Detroit. Her funeral is Monday, July 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.