CLEVELAND -- Sketches of his face were displayed on digital billboards throughout the city in hopes somebody might be able to identify him.
After several weeks, we finally have an update in the case.
The boy has been identified as 4-year-old Eliazar Ruiz, according to the Cuyahoga County Examiner's Office.
"Today we can confirm the identity of this child, with the help of our media partners, we received information that enabled us to use DNA technology to establish an identification as Eliazar Ruiz," said Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson. "We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Linda Spurlock, our forensic reconstruction artist, whose sketches have become a very valuable asset to our work."
The case stretches back to Sept. 20, where the remains were found in the backyard of a vacant home on Longmead Avenue.
The boy's remains were discovered in bags by landscapers. Forensic experts say the skeleton was almost fully intact.
Police believe the boy likely went missing in the early summer.
"This investigation remains in the early stages and no arrests have been made," said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams.
Authorities also released the following investigation timeline:
Sept. 20, 2017: The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and Cleveland Police Department responded to 12902 Longmead Avenue, where remains were found in a plastic bag in the backyard of an unoccupied home. Cleveland Police Detectives Kathleen Carlin and Tim Entenok begin to investigate the case and potential leads.
Sept. 21, 2017: An autopsy is conducted, and a DNA profile is developed by the Parentage & Identification Department at the Medical Examiner’s Office. The autopsy reveals the remains belong to a child.
Sept. 25, 2017: Dr. Linda Spurlock, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Kent State University, examines the skeletal remains to obtain demographic information for a forensic sketch.
Oct. 10, 2017: DNA profile of the decedent determined the decedent’s sex is male, which will be used for comparison with potential matches.
Dec. 6, 2017: The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and Cleveland Police Department hold a joint press conference with the local media, asking the public for their assistance in identifying the decedent. A forensic sketch is released to the media and estimates the child is approximately 4 years old. Race could not be determined at that time. Cause and manner of death are still pending, but the case is being investigated as suspicious.
Dec. 6, 2017: Local media outlets and community partners help distribute the sketch to the public through news stories, social media posts and billboards.
Jan. 8, 2018: Additional news stories are produced and aired, providing increased visibility for the sketch.
Jan. 9, 2018: A tipster contacts investigators after seeing sketch in the media.
Jan. 19, 2018: Through collaborative investigative efforts between the Medical Examiner’s Office and Cleveland Police Department, a tentative ID was obtained. Furthermore, a positive identification was made through DNA comparison to match: Eliazar Ruiz. Hispanic Male. Age 4.