TN MEMPHIS CHILDREN: Three children, age 3-7, found in Hickory Hill area of Memphis, TN - March 2026

Remains of multiple children between 3-7 years old found in Hickory Hill

Law enforcement is investigating after the remains of three children were discovered in Hickory Hill.

www.actionnews5.com

Remains of multiple children between 3-7 years old found in Hickory Hill​

Law enforcement is investigating after the remains of three children were discovered in Hickory Hill.

The FBI is assisting MPD with the investigation in the area of Ridgeway Road and Winchester Road.

During the press conference, MPD Chief CJ Davis reported that the remains of three children between the ages of three and seven years old have been found in the area of Ridge Meadows Road and Ridgeway Road.

MPD states that the investigation began on March 8, when officers responded to a call about a suspicious person in the 3400 block of Ridge Meadow Parkway after a woman walking her dog reported a possible human skull near a wooded area.

Officers located what appeared to be a human skull at the edge of the woods.

On March 9, officers and the medical examiner’s office returned to the scene to continue the search.

On March 10, investigators, the medical examiner’s office, and Shelby County Search and Rescue conducted a thorough search. K9 units alerted to a drainage pipe, suggesting possible remains, but none were found.

On April 1, investigators accessed the drainage system from a nearby location and located what appeared to be another skull.

On April 2, search teams conducted another coordinated search, recovering 14 additional human remains.

Chief Davis stated that bone fragments were the only remains recovered from the crime scene, and based on the medical examiners’ and scientists’ work on these investigations, it has been determined that the bones have possibly been there for a few years.

MPD is working to identify the three children and the cause of death.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

From the press conference video above:
Race is unconfirmed.
A "few years" is how long they've been there.
No obviously matching missing persons cases.

 

[Guess Who]

Could Skelton possibly have driven that far away with his 3 boys?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Could Skelton possibly have driven that far away with his 3 boys?

Those are the first three that I thought of too.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Could Skelton possibly have driven that far away with his 3 boys?

550-600 miles. 8.5-9.5 hours.
I think his timeline is too tight for that.

Tanner Lucas Skelton – The Charley Project

That last time anyone besides John saw them was at 5:00 p.m. on November 25.
John's blue Dodge Caravan was on the Ohio Turnpike, along the Michigan-Ohio border, between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. on November 26.

That would only give him 12 hours or so to make that round trip.

 

[Guess Who]

550-600 miles. 8.5-9.5 hours.
I think his timeline is too tight for that.

Tanner Lucas Skelton – The Charley Project

That last time anyone besides John saw them was at 5:00 p.m. on November 25.
John's blue Dodge Caravan was on the Ohio Turnpike, along the Michigan-Ohio border, between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. on November 26.

That would only give him 12 hours or so to make that round trip.

Thanks. I couldn't remember the timeline

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Bones believed to be three children found in Hickory Hill, steps away from school and Head Start

The discovery is haunting, and the questions are unbearable. Bones believed to be those of three young children were found in a quiet Hickory Hill neighborhood — just steps away from where families bring their kids every day.

www.fox13memphis.com

Bones believed to be three children found in Hickory Hill, steps away from school and Head Start​

The discovery is haunting, and the questions are unbearable.

Bones believed to be those of three young children were found in a quiet Hickory Hill neighborhood — just steps away from where families bring their kids every day.

Memphis police say the remains were discovered near Ridge Meadow Parkway, across the street from an elementary school and a Head Start center. A church also sits nearby — ordinary places now overshadowed by an extraordinary tragedy.

Investigators believe the children were between the ages of three and seven, and detectives say the remains may have been there for years.

Even now, the area remains an active crime scene.

“There is still a police presence here,” FOX13 observed Wednesday night, “still looking for evidence.” But nothing prepares you for the weight of this location — a place built for children, now tied to their loss.

“It makes me feel hurt,” said Hickory Hill resident Christian Harris. “You know, protect my kids, to keep them safe… from those type of people.”

Police Chief CJ Davis confirmed the investigation began March 8 and is now a multi‑agency effort, involving local, state, and federal partners.

“Someone knows where these children come from,” Davis said. “Someone knows of the missing children from this area.”

Yet despite checking missing‑child reports, police say they have not found a match to the remains.

That mystery has left parents shaken.

“It’s devastating,” said resident Marcia Walker. “And I hope those kids get the justice they deserve.”

Parents with children enrolled at the nearby Head Start center told FOX13 the discovery has changed how they see their neighborhood.



Who were these children?

And how could they vanish without anyone noticing?

Memphis police are asking anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward.

 

[Kimster]

I don’t think they’re from the area. Kind of rings a bell like the Rasmussen murders. That’s the one where the kids were found in the barrels. @Takeitfromme was all over that case.

 

[RoundPeg]

At this point with the information we have, this could be 3 unrelated missing children. Or not.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

At this point with the information we have, this could be 3 unrelated missing children. Or not.

If they're unrelated, that would mean a much bigger issue of a serial killer with a dumping ground...

 

[RoundPeg]

If they're unrelated, that would mean a much bigger issue of a serial killer with a dumping ground...

Agreed.

 

[Guess Who]

If they're unrelated, that would mean a much bigger issue of a serial killer with a dumping ground...

Odds are greater that it was a caretaker.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Probably getting hundreds of "tips" about them.

Michigan State Police: Memphis children's remains not believed to be Skelton brothers

Michigan State Police say remains found in Memphis are not the Skelton brothers. Here’s what investigators say about the timeline and next steps.

www.wtol.com

Michigan State Police: Memphis children's remains not believed to be Skelton brothers​

Michigan State Police say they do not believe the remains of three young children found in Memphis are those of the missing Skelton brothers.

MSP Lt. Rene Gonzales told 11 Investigates the agency’s cold case unit has been in contact with Memphis Police Department and does not believe the remains belong to Tanner, Alexander and Andrew Skelton based on the timeline of the boys’ 2010 disappearance.

Michigan State Police said they will still provide DNA and dental records to Memphis investigators to help formally eliminate the brothers as possibilities.

Michigan State Police say that while the Memphis discovery has drawn renewed attention to the Skelton brothers case, investigators do not believe the two are connected.

 

[Guess Who]

Probably getting hundreds of "tips" about them.

Michigan State Police: Memphis children's remains not believed to be Skelton brothers

Michigan State Police say remains found in Memphis are not the Skelton brothers. Here’s what investigators say about the timeline and next steps.

www.wtol.com

Michigan State Police: Memphis children's remains not believed to be Skelton brothers​

Michigan State Police say they do not believe the remains of three young children found in Memphis are those of the missing Skelton brothers.

MSP Lt. Rene Gonzales told 11 Investigates the agency’s cold case unit has been in contact with Memphis Police Department and does not believe the remains belong to Tanner, Alexander and Andrew Skelton based on the timeline of the boys’ 2010 disappearance.

Michigan State Police said they will still provide DNA and dental records to Memphis investigators to help formally eliminate the brothers as possibilities.

Michigan State Police say that while the Memphis discovery has drawn renewed attention to the Skelton brothers case, investigators do not believe the two are connected.

Glad they are at least eliminating the possibility it's them .

 

[Kimster]

Yes, I’m really glad that they addressed it.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Forensic expert describes process required to identify child remains found in Memphis

A research professor and forensic anthropologist says details will likely be limited for months regarding the finding of children's remains in a wooded area of Hickory Hill, announced Wednesday.

www.actionnews5.com

Forensic expert describes process required to identify child remains found in Memphis​

A research professor and forensic anthropologist says details will likely be limited for months regarding the finding of children’s remains in a wooded area of Hickory Hill, announced Wednesday.

“Younger individuals, it may be harder to determine sex,” Dr. Thomas Holland said. “The tradeoff is children are much easier to determine the age.”

Investigators found Wednesday that the remains discovered in March belonged to three unidentified children ranging in age from 3 to 7.

Holland, director of the Forensic Institute for Research and Education at Middle Tennessee State University, said a forensic analysis of a skeleton does not take long unless the remains are fragmented.

“What we generally like to do, however, is have that peer-reviewed, so we’ll have it looked at by another anthropologist,” Holland said.

Holland said the hardest thing to determine is the time since death, but external factors may be key to learning more. Experts in other fields can assist, like botany.

“For instance, if they were found in a wooded area, how long it takes certain species and plants to grow,” Holland said. “Are the roots getting into the bone? And how long does that take?”

Holland said it is unlikely the remains will be identified anytime soon. Investigators will need to match what they have learned with the right missing children’s cases.

“You have to be certain to the exclusion of all other reasonable possibilities, and it’s eliminating all those other possibilities that takes the time, so you’ll get some initial results and that will guide the investigation, but I wouldn’t look for resolution for months,” Holland said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH or the MPD Homicide Bureau.

 

[Mel70]

View attachment 29794

Remains of multiple children between 3-7 years old found in Hickory Hill

Law enforcement is investigating after the remains of three children were discovered in Hickory Hill.

www.actionnews5.com

Remains of multiple children between 3-7 years old found in Hickory Hill​

Law enforcement is investigating after the remains of three children were discovered in Hickory Hill.

The FBI is assisting MPD with the investigation in the area of Ridgeway Road and Winchester Road.

During the press conference, MPD Chief CJ Davis reported that the remains of three children between the ages of three and seven years old have been found in the area of Ridge Meadows Road and Ridgeway Road.

MPD states that the investigation began on March 8, when officers responded to a call about a suspicious person in the 3400 block of Ridge Meadow Parkway after a woman walking her dog reported a possible human skull near a wooded area.

Officers located what appeared to be a human skull at the edge of the woods.

On March 9, officers and the medical examiner’s office returned to the scene to continue the search.

On March 10, investigators, the medical examiner’s office, and Shelby County Search and Rescue conducted a thorough search. K9 units alerted to a drainage pipe, suggesting possible remains, but none were found.

On April 1, investigators accessed the drainage system from a nearby location and located what appeared to be another skull.

On April 2, search teams conducted another coordinated search, recovering 14 additional human remains.

Chief Davis stated that bone fragments were the only remains recovered from the crime scene, and based on the medical examiners’ and scientists’ work on these investigations, it has been determined that the bones have possibly been there for a few years.

MPD is working to identify the three children and the cause of death.

This is so horrendous. Poor kids. And how does anyone not notice 3 missing children?. I will never understand.

 

[Mel70]

It's now been confirmed they are not the Skelton brothers.