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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:53:04 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
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