TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - In a press conference Friday morning, Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs says they believe they have found the remains of missing baby Elaina Steinfurth.
"We wanted to find the body and we wanted to find that baby and we did," said Diggs.
Police, FBI agents, and Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates were at the press conference, but were unable to disclose specific details because the case is still active. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is also taking part in the active investigation.
"It is an ongoing investigation, and it is an active investigation at this time, and there's many things that we can't discuss at this time," said Diggs. "The bottom line is, we found what we believe may be baby Elaina. We're going to continue to conduct our investigation to bring those responsible to justice."
On Thursday, Toledo Police removed a box containing human remains from a garage near Steven King's home at 704 Federal Street in east Toledo. King is the estranged boyfriend of Angela Steinfurth, mother of 1-year-old Elaina, who has been missing since June 2, 2013. An exclusive Toledo News Now source with knowledge of the investigation, said investigators removed a package from a garage in an alley off Prentice Street in east Toledo and turned it over to the Lucas County Coroner's Office.
Later Thursday, Lucas County Coroner James Patrick confirmed that the box did contain human remains. At the press conference Friday, police said they found "immature skeletal remains."
The remains were autopsied Friday morning at the Lucas County Coroner's Office to determine the identity.
Dr. Diane Scala-Barnett and Dr. Julie Saul, from the Lucas County Coroner's Office, released the following statement Friday afternoon:
"The box, recovered from the upper level of the garage located at 704 Federal, contains immature human skeletal remains. Because the skeletal remains are so immature, it is not possible to determine the sex of the deceased therefore DNA is necessary.
"DNA samples have already been submitted to BCI for analysis. DNA is the most accurate and scientific procedure to confirm identity and sex in this case.
"Anthropologic examination is still ongoing.
"Toxicology is pending.
"Cause and manner of death will be assigned when all parts of the autopsy have been completed."
Elaina's father, Terry Steinfurth Jr., is just hoping for closure.
"I'm still holding onto hope it's not her, but if anything, you have to be realistic to some degree too...Just being hopeful," said Steinfurth.
Steinfurth understands that police are doing whatever they can so justice will be served, but family members still want answers.
"I'm hoping for answers to know exactly what's going on right now. Everything's speculation, so I'm hoping for the best," said Steinfurth.
