Police May Search Second Landfill For Jahi
Boy Has Been Missing Since April 25
POSTED: 12:38 pm PDT July 1, 2002
UPDATED: 6:05 pm PDT July 1, 2002
SAN DIEGO -- Police are deciding whether to search a second landfill in their investigation into the April disappearance of a 2-year-old boy.
The San Diego Police Department is weighing the costs and benefits of combing through trash and sewage sludge at the Otay landfill in Chula Vista for evidence that could help resolve the disappearance of Jahi Turner, Capt. Mike McCulloch said Monday.
In May, police and volunteers from the Navy and Marine Corps searched through 5,000 tons of trash at San Diego's Miramar landfill at a cost of $100,000. Authorities have not disclosed whether they found any useful evidence in the search.Trash collected from the neighborhood where Jahi lived and from around the park where he was reported missing April 25 was sent to both Miramar and the Otay landfill. But police didn't search the Chula Vista dump because the presence of sewage sludge made it potentially dangerous for officers and volunteers, McCulloch said.At the privately owned Otay landfill, searchers would have to comb through about 4,000 tons of trash and 400 tons of treated sludge from a wastewater treatment facility.The city may hire a private contractor to search the Otay landfill, but the effort could cost about $1 million because of the presence of sewage, McCulloch said. The first search was also less expensive because police used donated equipment and volunteers."We're looking for any evidence," McCulloch said. "In the worst case scenario, maybe Jahi Turner's remains or any evidence that would lead to a suspect."Jahi was reported missing from a playground in Balboa Park by his stepfather, Teiray Jones, who told police he left the boy alone to buy a soda from a nearby machine. The child's mother, an 18-year-old Navy sailor, was aboard the USS Rushmore at the time.Investigators have declined to discuss the progress of the investigation or whether they have developed any suspects.
![]() MISSING JAHI TURNER Light-skinned African-American 30 pounds, 30 inches tall Black hair Wearing blue "Winnie the Pooh" T-shirt, blue pants, and gray tennis shoes INFORMATION SDPD Juvenile Hotline: (619) 744-9521 Tip Hotline: (619) 235-8477 Friends of Jahi Recovery Centre: (619) 266-3677 SOUND OFF |
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Previous Stories:
- June 13, 2002: Man Looks For Jahi During Trip Across Country
- May 30, 2002: Jahi Search Ends, Grandmother Leaves Town
- May 20, 2002: Jahi Search Moves Again
- May 15, 2002: Missing Toddler's Mother Speaks Out Again
- May 13, 2002: Jahi Search Resumes After Sunday Break
- May 12, 2002: Jahi Searchers Take A Day For Prayer
- May 10, 2002: Jahi Searchers Claim Renewed Spirit
- May 9, 2002: Grandmother's Search For Jahi Stalled
- May 8, 2002: Grandmother Begins New Jahi Search
- May 7, 2002: Rift Splits Jahi Search
- May 7, 2002: Jahi Landfill Search, Volunteer Effort Ends
- May 6, 2002: Grandmother Pleads For Jahi's Safe Return
- May 3, 2002: Marines Assist In Jahi Search
- May 2, 2002: Report: Jahi Was Never At Park
- May 1, 2002: Jahi Search: Second Day At Landfill
- May 1, 2002: Police Continue To Search Landfill For Clues
- April 30, 2002: Jahi's Mother: 'Bring Him Home'
- April 30, 2002: Brenda Van Dam, Mom Speak Out About Missing Boy
- April 29, 2002: Police: Woman At Park Found
- April 29, 2002: Van Dams Join In Search For Missing Boy
- April 29, 2002: Volunteers Aid In Search For Missing Toddler
- April 26, 2002: Police: Jahi Was Abducted
- April 26, 2002: Police: Still No Sign Of Jahi
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