Body of Maliyah Bass formally identified by medical examiner

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Monday, August 31, 2020
Body of Maliyah Bass formally identified by medical examiner
A week after the terrible turn in a missing child case, forensic scientists confirmed what the family already knew: Maliyah Bass was gone.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The body of Maliyah Bass was formally identified Sunday, a week after she went missing from a playground at her parents' apartment complex.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed what her family already knew, but a cause of death hasn't been determined.

The identification came a day after Maliyah's grandmother spoke to ABC13 about their family's grief over losing the 2-year-old little girl.

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"She loved baby shark. She loved pink. She loved Minnie Mouse," Rosalie Jimerson said. "She was just my everything. I hate that she's gone but I want justice for Maliyah."

Many Houstonians hoped the body found would not be Maliyah's, however her grandmother, and now the medical examiner have confirmed it to be true.

Police say Maliyah's mom told them the 2-year-old was playing in the courtyard outside their apartment in 10600 block of Beechnut St. The 20-year-old said she left the toddler alone for a few minutes, when she came back Maliyah was missing.

Police believe foul play was involved in the child's death. So far, no arrests have been made.

SEE MORE: Foul play 'highly suspected' after body believed to be missing 2-year-old found in bayou

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"Our job is to try our very best to find out what happened," said Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.