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.
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.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:49 AM EDT2013-06-14 15:49:37 GMT
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline have spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline were spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
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.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.