Bones found by children in Lakeland cow pasture identified: Grady Judd

Bones found in Lakeland pasture identified

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has identified human remains found by children in a Lakeland cow pasture on Thursday. Sheriff Grady Judd said the bones likely belonged to a woman in her 70s, who lived alone and was a hoarder. 

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has identified human remains found by children in a Lakeland cow pasture on Thursday. 

Sheriff Grady Judd said the bones likely belonged to a woman in her 70s, who lived alone and was a hoarder. 

Bones found in Lakeland

What we know:

Sheriff Judd said five children who were between the ages of six and 12 years old were playing near the woods when they found a skull, mandible and three vertebrates.

The children convinced a parent to go with them to the remains and that parent called authorities shortly before 8 p.m. on Thursday night. 

During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Judd stated that preliminary information indicated that the bones may have belonged to a man between 35–45 years old and stated that the remains did not belong to Tonya Whipp, Ethan Fussell or Savannah Mahoney, three people at the heart of high-profile missing persons cases in Polk County. 

On Friday evening, Judd stated that the rest of the remains were found on Friday afternoon to the north of the cow pasture behind a home. 

Investigators said that the person who lived in the home was a hoarder who appeared to be in her 70s. 

"We determined that there had been significant wildlife activity and that, for the most part, our victim was skeletonized," Judd explained.

The sheriff stated that investigators do not believe the woman’s death was suspicious and her next of kin had been notified. 

"At this point in time, it appears that she was deceased just outside of her backdoor and that subsequent to her dying, for whatever medical reason, we believe at this point in the investigation the wildlife scattered her remains," Judd stated. 

The sheriff added that the woman, who lived alone, had significant medical issues and was considered to be a recluse was last seen alive in April.  

"On April 1, the neighbors called us to do a well-being check, and we talked to her on April 1, and she was alive and well and good to go," Judd said. "Subsequent to us leaving, she confronted the neighbors and told them to mind their own business."

Identity and death details

What we don't know:

The woman’s name has not yet been publicly released. 

It is unclear when the woman died or how she died. 

The investigation continues

What's next:

The final determination of how the woman died will take a considerable amount of time. Sheriff Judd noted that the severe hoarding conditions discovered inside her home will slow down investigators as they process the scene.