EMMETT, Idaho — New court documents revealed how investigators found the body of a young child in Emmett.
The Gem County Sheriff's Office says they believe the body to be that of Taryn Summers, an 8-year-old girl who was reported missing on April 12 and last seen on Airport Road.
Deputies have yet to publicly identify the suspect in the case, who they arrested in Ada County last week, but a probable cause affidavit points to 54-year-old Connie Ann Smith, the grandmother of the child.
The affidavit states that investigators responded to the residence of Smith in Emmett, whom they identify as the grandmother of the child referred to as “T.S."
Court documents reveal on April 13, investigators conducted a foot and drone search. The next day, Idaho State Forensics was able to find a small presumptive positive for blood at the residence. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue helped with the search efforts while cadaver dogs searched outside Smith’s residence.
Court documents show Smith had reported the child as a runaway, prompting multiple searches at her residence that investigators say eventually led to the discovery of a child’s body in the back seat of a black Lexus registered to a family member.
Ada County Jail arrest logs show Connie Ann Smith was initially booked into jail on first-degree murder charges on an out-of-county warrant and later transferred to Gem County.
Smith appeared for her arraignment Monday at the Gem County Magistrate Court. She faces two felony charges for failure to notify of death and destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence.
It’s unclear if Smith will face murder charges.
Gem County prosecutor Erick Thomson said more charges could be coming pending investigation during the court hearing.
“The state is waiting for the conclusion of that investigation before making any follow determinations of any charges. However, it would be my current belief that additional charges for Ms. Smith would be coming," Thomson said.
The court set a bail of $800,000 for Smith. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on May 3 at 3:00 p.m.
