Suspect charged in kidnapping of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

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Federal authorities announced Friday that 26-year-old Rashad Maleek Trice has been charged with kidnapping and kidnapping causing death in connection with the disappearance of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

If convicted of the death-related charge, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison. This offense is also punishable by death, prosecutors said. Wynter’s body was found in Detroit on Wednesday after a days-long search and statewide Amber Alert.

Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was last seen July 2, 2023 in Lansing.

Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was last seen July 2, 2023 in Lansing.

Trice was arrested Monday and arraigned on other charges earlier Wednesday at a metro Detroit hospital where he was taken with injuries after hitting a police cruiser in St. Clair Shores. He was charged with multiple crimes related to what police said was the stabbing and assault of Wynter’s mother, Symari Cole, an ex-girlfriend of Trice. Police said he took the child and fled in a vehicle.

The booking photo of Rashad Maleek Trice. He was charged with eight crimes related to what police said were stabbing and assaulting Wynter's mother. But authorities have not said whether they also plan to charge Trice, who is being held without bond, in connection with Wynter's kidnapping and death. He was on probation for other charges at the time.

The booking photo of Rashad Maleek Trice. He was charged with eight crimes related to what police said were stabbing and assaulting Wynter’s mother. But authorities have not said whether they also plan to charge Trice, who is being held without bond, in connection with Wynter’s kidnapping and death. He was on probation for other charges at the time.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rashad Maleek Trice Accused of Kidnapping Wynter Cole-Smith

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