Police continue to search for body of toddler beaten to death by mother and boyfriend

Police continue to search for body of toddler beaten to death by mother and boyfriend

    Law enforcement officers and volunteers are continuing their search for the body of a toddler who was beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend.

    Authorities and dogs were out along the Des Plaines River in Illinois on Saturday searching for the body of 20 month old Bryeon Hunter. The boy is believed to have been beaten to death approximately two weeks ago for crying.

    “From what we know, he was thrown in naked,” Maywood Police Chief Tim Curry said.

    Richard Larson, a K-9 trainer and volunteer coordinator, put together a search party and expressed disappointment with the overall effort.

    “It’s like nobody cares about this boy and the efforts. There have been no efforts that anyone can see. If that was my boy, I’d want everyone out there looking,” Larson said.

    Dozens of volunteers have showed up to take part in the search, with one woman even donating her canoe to the search. Sadly, there is still no sign of little Bryeon Hunter’s body.

Curry is wondering why the toddler’s body hasn’t surfaced by now.

    “At this point, he should, and if he did come to the surface, we’d also have to be concerned that the currents would have swept him even further downstream,” he said.

    Bryeon’s mother, Lakesha Baker, and her boyfriend, Michael Scott, have both been charged with his murder.

    Prosecutors say Baker and Scott tortured the toddler by beating him with belts and hangers.

Police say Baker admitted making up a story about being kidnapped and beaten by three Hispanic men.