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An agonizing week turns worse for family of missing 2-year-old
Wynter Smith's body was found in an alley on Detroit's east side Wednesday after a frantic search across the state following her kidnapping on Sunday.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - A vigil honoring 2-year-old Wynter Smith whose body was found in a Detroit alley will take place Thursday night.
The Lansing toddler who was taken from her home after a 26-year-old man assaulted her mother before allegedly kidnapping her was the subject of a frantic search around Michigan this week. She was found in the early evening Wednesday.
Groups Thousand Strong and Live in Peace, which was founded by Pastor Maurice Hardwick are expected to honor Smith near the site she was found on Erwin Street on Detroit's east side. It's scheduled for 6 p.m.
The public is invited to join the family and pray with them.
In a statement from the family, they thanked law enforcement for their help and called for more support from the government in ensuring the public is safe from violent offenders.
"We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, cousins, niece, and big system, Wynter Cole Smith," read the statement. "Wynter's brief but bright life was taken from her unnecessarily; and we will grieve her death forever."
Smith's body was discovered in an alley in the area of Knodell and Erwin streets, east of Van Dyke and north of Harper. The FBI confirmed the location, with the agent in charge saying she was found at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Police haven't released any details about the investigation, only confirming it had transitioned from a missing person search to a homicide case.
Wynter Smith's body Recovered: What we know about case of Lansing 2-year-old
Rashad Trice, 26, was arraigned on several charges including assault with intent to murder, home invasion, and criminal sexual conduct.