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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:05 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:05:51 GMT
Detroit ditto heads rejoice. Your leader is interested in news in Detroit, at least enough to qualify a report on a large Powerball jackpot as more proof that 'low-information outreach' is working.
Detroit ditto heads rejoice. Your leader is interested in news in Detroit, at least enough to qualify a report on a large Powerball jackpot as more proof that 'low-information outreach' is working.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.