A heartfelt plea to parents of boy found dead in Wylie

WYLIE — As hundreds of people gathered in Wylie to remember a nameless child, a team of investigators and child advocates made a direct appeal to the boy's family to come forward.

No one knows who the boy's parents are — or if they are even from North Texas.

But Dan Powers, the clinical director of the Collin County Child Advocacy Center said he hopes they get the message: Help give your child an identity.

The mysterious case of "Wylie's Angel" is new territory for area law enforcement officers. Usually, they try to find missing children. But in this case, they're in the unusual position of trying to locate the parents or relatives of a child who was found dead near East Fork Park one week ago.

"You would think someone would come forth when there's a missing child," Powers said. "There are people who are concerned. But in this case, no one's coming forth."

Powers said with few similar cases and little evidence, it's nearly impossible for investigators to come up with a profile of the boy's parents.

"I hope it's somebody who loved this child very much and didn't know what to do," he said.

First Baptist Church of Wylie pastor Kris Seagrest says the boy's parents or relatives are welcome to find help and comfort at his church. "Maybe they're afraid of litigation," he said. "They should reach out to law authorities, or a church. It could be this one."

The pastor said a local attorney has offered to help with any legal concerns the child's parents might have. "He would be willing to consult with them and give any help he could," said the pastor.

The organizers of Thursday night's candlelight vigil also have a message for the boy's parents.

"All we need is his name," said Malorie Martinez, one of the organizers. "Come forward we'll help you out. Just let us bury him."

Ten investigators from the Collin County Child Abuse Task Force are working diligently on the case around the clock. Powers said no one wants to learn the boy's identify more than they do.

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