Tenn. authorities think they have toddler’s remains

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities are awaiting autopsy results after remains of a missing 15-month-old girl were believed to be found in Tennessee.

At a news conference Friday night, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Sullivan County Sheriff ’s Office said they believed they had found the remains of Evelyn Mae Boswell earlier that evening.

The discovery appears to end a 17day search across three states for the missing toddler. An Amber Alert was issued more than two weeks ago, but authorities have said she hadn’t been seen since at least December.

The remains are being sent for autopsy and positive identification, Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said. Authorities acting on a tip found the remains on a property in Blountville that is owned by a relative of Evelyn’s mother, the sheriff said.

Evelyn’s mother, Megan Boswell, 18, was arrested Feb. 25 on a charge of filing a false report. Authorities said her inaccurate and conflicting statements had impeded the investigation.

She initially told state investigators that Evelyn was with the child’s father, Ethan Perry, according to court documents from her arraignment. But Perry is stationed at Fort Polk,

Louisiana, and did not have Evelyn, WJHL-TV reported.

Megan Boswell later said her mother, Angela Boswell, took her daughter to a campground in Mendota, Virginia.

Angela Boswell herself was arrested the week before her daughter was taken into custody.

Investigators with the TBI believed Evelyn’s mother and grandmother had information about her whereabouts.

The identity of the property owner wasn’t revealed, and authorities didn’t indicate whether there have been any additional arrests or charges.