Police: Witnesses won't talk in dismembered toddler case

CHICAGO (FOX 32 / AP) — Frustrated Chicago police say two witnesses aren't cooperating with their investigation into the death of a 2-year-old northern Illinois boy whose dismembered remains were found in a Chicago lagoon.

"This has been a very frustrating investigation," said CPD Commander Kevin Duffin.

Police said they held a news conference on Thursday morning to exert pressure on family friends of 40-year-old Kamel Harris and 34-year-old Danyelle Foggs to share what they know. Police say Harris and Foggs were entrusted with Kyrian Knox's care while the Rockford boy's mother was moving to Iowa.

"It's just unfathomable to me that when we're talking about a tender age child that we find body parts of, and you won't cooperate on a case like that? I cannot wrap my brain around it," said CPD Chief Dean Andrews.

Authorities say numerous attempts to contact Harris and Foggs failed. Officials say they believe the boy went missing in mid-August but wasn't reported missing until Sept. 17.

Early in the investigation, Harris told Rockford police he gave Kyrian to a man and two women in a Rockford park who told him they were friend's of the boys mother and would take care of the baby.

"That's why it's essential now we try to locate him, try and identify these three people that he turned Kyrian over to. They were obviously the last people to see the baby alive," said Duffin.

Kyrian's grandmother, Cameshia Harris, says the family held a memorial service service last weekend and released white doves where the boy's body was discovered.

FOX 32 asked her what she would say to the couple who won't cooperate.

"Have a heart. If you didn't do anything wrong, go and talk to the police. If you're so innocent and you don't have anything to hide, get your lawyers and got talk to Detective Kennedy and Detective Nannigan," said Harris.

Kyrian's remains were found Sept. 5 in the Garfield Park lagoon on Chicago's West Side. The body parts were identified as the boy on Nov. 4.

Chicago police say the couple that won't talk to them are considered witnesses at this point, not suspects. And they say they don't yet have enough probable cause to get a search warrant or subpoena to take them into custody.