GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Rashad Trice, 27, pleaded guilty on Friday to the kidnapping and murder of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith. The tragic incident, which occurred last summer, sparked a widespread search effort spanning 100 miles from Lansing to Detroit.

Motive and Tragic Outcome

Trice confessed to abducting Wynter Cole Smith from her home in Lansing, Michigan, amidst a dispute with his former girlfriend, who was the child’s mother. The toddler was later found strangled with a phone cord in a Detroit alley, according to investigators.

Federal Jurisdiction and Legal Proceedings

Despite the crime not crossing state lines, federal charges were filed against Trice due to the involvement of tools, including a phone, sourced from outside Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office cited federal jurisdiction based on these elements.

Closure and Response

Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee expressed hope that Trice’s admission of guilt would offer Wynter’s family, friends, and law enforcement involved a semblance of closure. The discovery of the toddler’s remains ended a extensive search operation that mobilized various resources, including divers, dogs, drones, and helicopters along the route between Lansing and Detroit.

Legal Ramifications and Pending Charges

Trice now faces a potential life sentence in federal prison for his heinous actions. Additionally, there are ongoing proceedings against him in state court, with separate charges pending.

Tragic End to a Heartbreaking Case

The plea from Rashad Trice underscores the heartbreaking end to the case of Wynter Cole Smith. While it offers closure to some, the lasting impact of such a tragedy reverber

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