Video report by Lauren Victory, Fox CT
Text by David Owens, Hartford Courant
STERLING, Mass. — Authorities say a body found Friday off Route 190 was that of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver, who had been missing since September.
The body was positively identified, but the autopsy is not complete, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. announced Saturday afternoon. He said an investigation is continuing, but no other information would be released.
The boy’s father, Jose Oliver, lives in New Britain.
Jeremiah, who had lived with his mother in Fitchburg, Mass., was last seen in September, but not reported missing until December, Early said.
Early said on Friday that the body of a child was found about 9 a.m. Friday in Sterling, not far from Fitchburg.
“The body is consistent in height and weight with that of Jeremiah Oliver, the 5-year-old from Fitchburg who has been missing since last September,” Early said at a press conference Friday before the body had been positively identified.
The body was wrapped in a blanket and another material, police said. The autopsy was expected to be completed Saturday.
The boy’s mother, Elsa Oliver, 28, and her boyfriend, Alberto Sierro, 23, were indicted last month by a Worcester County Grand Jury on charges related to the missing boy.
Elsa Oliver was charged with permitting bodily injury to a child, three counts of reckless endangerment of a child, kidnapping a child, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault and battery.
Sierra was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child, permitting bodily injury to a child, three counts of reckless endangerment of a child, kidnapping a child, assault and battery on a child causing bodily injury, four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault and battery.
Elsa Oliver is being held on $100,000 cash bail. Sierra is being held without bail.