AIKEN, S.C. — South Carolina authorities said they have recovered some of the remains of a 4-year-old girl whose disappearance prompted an extensive search, as prosecutors expanded the criminal case against her parents following allegations that they killed the child and attempted to conceal her death.
Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer announced on Thursday that DNA testing by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed human remains recovered from the Cedar Creek Reservoir, also known as Stumpy Pond, in Fairfield County were consistent with those of Javeayah Harris, who was reported missing on June 30. Authorities had previously said investigators believed the child had been dead for about a month before she was reported missing.
Sawyer said investigators allege Javeayah's parents, Johmarea Harris, 23, and Michilae Herring, 22, used corrosive chemicals and other means in an effort to destroy the child's body before disposing of the remains in the reservoir, approximately 100 miles (160 km) from the family's home in Aiken County. He said only some of the child's remains were recovered and that investigators believe it is unlikely all of them will be found.
Both parents had already been charged with homicide by child abuse after investigators concluded the child died before the missing-person report was filed. On Thursday, authorities said additional charges related to the destruction, desecration or removal of human remains had been filed against both defendants. Herring also continues to face a charge of filing a false police report.
According to arrest warrants and statements previously released by investigators, authorities allege Herring physically abused the child and failed to obtain medical care after the girl suffered fatal injuries, while Harris allegedly knew about the abuse and did not intervene. Those allegations have been made by law enforcement and have not been tested in court.
The investigation began after Herring reported Javeayah missing, triggering a large-scale search involving local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI. Sheriff Sawyer later said evidence gathered during the investigation indicated the child had already died well before emergency responders were called.
Sawyer described the investigation as one of the most difficult of his law enforcement career and said authorities remain committed to pursuing the case. The parents remain in custody after previously being denied bond, and the investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors continue to review the evidence.
