Toddler Found Dead In Pond Along 80/94
Around 12:00 PM Thursday Indiana State Police were dispatched to Eastbound 80/94 & Kennedy Ave exit ramp (North) for a report of a body floating in the retention pond, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield of The Indiana State Police.
Police say a few construction workers nearby spotted the body and contacted 911. The Hammond Fire Department & The Lake County Regional Dive Team arrived on scene and recovered a young female child under the age of 5, Fifield stated.
Fifield confirmed ISP has been in contact with Illinois agencies concerning this case which included Wheeling, IL following leads. Wheeling police are currently investigating a homicide and a missing one year old female.
Wheeling Police said at approximately 10:22 PM, November 9th they received a Missing Persons report after family members became concerned that 21 year old Ms. Ja’nya Murphy had not been to work, nor had been in contact with family members since the previous day.
Ms. Murphy lived with her one year old daughter Jaclyn “Angel” Dobbs at 365 Inland Drive in Wheeling, Wheeling Police said in a release. After initial attempts to contact Ms. Murphy failed, Wheeling Officers with the assistance of the Wheeling Fire Department were able to access the balcony of Ms. Murphy’s apartment and found the door unlocked. An ensuing check for well-being revealed Ms. Murphy had apparently been murdered and Angel to be missing.
Wheeling Police along with the Northwest Suburban Major Crimes Assistance Team stated they have a person of interest in custody as of Wednesday evening when they found the the missing vehicle in Missouri. This person had been with Murphy on 11/8, police stated.
UPDATE – Thursday around 9:45 PM a positive identification was made by the Lake County Coroner. The deceased was identified as Jaclyn Angel Dobbs, 1 year old, from Deerfield, Illinois. The investigation into the cause of death continues as an autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning, 11/12/2021, police said.
UPDATE 2 – Wheeling, IL Police issue arrest warrant for Ahmeel Fowler, 26, of Pinegree Grove, IL in the Homicide of Ja’nya Murphy who is the mother of the 1 year old girl who was found in a cold pond on the side of 80/94 Thursday.
Fowler was arrested by Springfield, Missouri Police Wednesday evening and remains in custody at the request of Wheeling Police. More charges are expected as this investigation continues.
Check back here for the latest updates on this investigation.
