Police: Remains Of Three Children Found In Memphis Woods

Memphis police are investigating after the remains of three young children were found in a wooded area of the city, a case authorities say may involve deaths that occurred years ago.

Police said the discovery involved skeletal remains believed to be those of children between about 3 and 7 years old. Investigators said initial findings suggest the remains had been in the wooded area for several years before they were found.

The remains were located in woods in Memphis, near a school, according to local reporting. Police have not publicly identified the children, and they have not said how the children died.

The Memphis Police Department said the case is being treated as an active investigation. Detectives and forensic personnel are working to confirm identities and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, police said.

Authorities have not said when the children were last seen alive or whether any missing-child reports have been linked to the case. Police have also not released information about potential suspects or whether anyone is in custody.

The discovery has raised concern among parents in the area, particularly because the remains were found close to a school. Local reports described heightened anxiety among families as police continued their work at and around the site.

Investigators said determining how long the remains were in the woods is part of establishing a timeline, a step that can affect everything from identifying victims to understanding what evidence may still be recoverable. Police have said the apparent length of time the remains were there complicates the investigation.

The case matters because it involves the deaths of children and a set of remains that may have gone undiscovered for years. Identifying the children is central not only to notifying family members but also to determining whether the victims were ever reported missing and whether earlier signs of danger were overlooked.

Police have not said whether the remains were found by a passerby, though reports have described the discovery being made by a woman walking her dog. Authorities have not confirmed those details publicly.

In the days ahead, investigators are expected to rely on forensic analysis to confirm the number of victims, establish ages more precisely, and pursue identification. Police have not provided a timeline for when those results may be available.

Officials have not announced any public safety advisories beyond the ongoing investigation, and they have not detailed any additional searches. They also have not released information about what, if anything, was found with the remains.

Memphis police are continuing to process the scene and follow up on leads as they work to identify the children and determine what happened, a task they have indicated could take time given the condition and age of the remains.