Death of a 3-year-old leads to homicide investigation in Wayne County

Michigan State Police alerted by hospital staff after toddler's death

WAYNE, Mich. – The Michigan State Police Department is investigating the death of a 3-year-old killed Friday.

Skyler Rayne Michalski was taken to a hospital, where she died on Nov. 10. 

Hospital staff became suspicious and alerted authorities.

The initial evaluation did not indicate that her death was from natural causes.

“There was nothing there that pointed us in that direction,” said Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw. “Anytime we have something like that, we always treat it as a homicide till we can prove something different.”

Detectives are investigating and the mother has been questioned by police.

“The mother is not in custody” Shaw said. “We hung on to her for a little bit - about 48 hours. But if we can’t charge someone within 72, we’re required by law to let them go.”

The Michigan State Police is working closely with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and there are indications that this could end in criminal charges.

“One of the things we’re waiting on is the medical examiner’s report,” said Shaw.

Michalski was cremated after the autopsy was performed. The investigation is ongoing.


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