The autopsy report for a North Carolina toddler who was reported missing in the days after Thanksgiving and then found dead in a creek near her home confirm that she died of chloroform toxicity.
The body of Mariah Woods, 3, was found stuffed inside a plaid, zippered couch cushion cover according to the report, which was obtained by DailyMail.com.
‘The couch cushion cover also contains a large portion of a solid cement material admixed with stones,’ wrote the medical examiner.
‘After opening the couch cushion cover, the body is wrapped in three white, plastic, trash bags which are tied around the neck.’
The toxicology report that was conducted revealed that the girl’s peripheral blood tested positive for chloroform and there was a lethal level of chloroform found in her lungs.
Sheriff Hans Miller of the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office tells DailyMail.com that the case is still under active investigation.
Tragic end: Mariah Woods (above), 3, died of chloroform toxicity an autopsy report released on Wednesday revelaed
Disgrace: She was then wrapped in three white trash bags and put into the cover of a couch cushion with cement before being thrown into a creek (Her accused murderer in court in January)
Accused: Her mother’s boyfriend, Adolphus Earl Kimrey II (above holding Mariah with her mother and two older brothers), has been charged with first degree murder in her death
Adolphus Earl Kimrey II, 32, the boyfriend of Mariah’s mother Kristy, has already been charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury/Death in the death of Mariah.
Kimrey reported Mariah missing at around 6:30am on November 27, with the girl’s mother Kristy saying she last saw the girl when she put her to bed at 11pm the previous night.
In his call to authorities, Kimrey said that Mariah had gotten out of bed around midnight and that he then told her to go back to her room.
He also mentioned that he had left the home at one point to go out, but did not lock the door.
On December 2, after five days of searching, baby Mariah’s body was found in a nearby creek.
Kimrey was arrested one day prior and detained on charges including obstruction of justice and secretly disposing of a body to conceal a death.
In an odd twist he was also charged with burglary, larceny and possession of stolen property for taking two dressers valued at $40 from a woman the night Mariah was last seen alive.
In January, he was charged with murder.
Tributes: Prosecutors announced in February that they would be seeking the death penalty in the case ( a memorial for the child)
Resting place: Her body was found in a nearby creek (above) on December 2 after five days of searching
‘The death of a child is always a sobering reminder of how fragile life is. When the community is so deeply affected by such a horrific crime it is sometimes difficult to not allow our emotions to influence the decisions that we make,’ said Sheriff Hans Miller at the time.
‘However, the best way to honor Mariah is to ensure a fair and thorough investigation, which will lead to a successful prosecution. We must remember that through these moments, together, as a community we can ensure that justice will be delivered for Mariah. We sincerely thank the community for their patience and support through this entire investigation.’
Police said at the time that Mariah’s mother ‘has been cooperative with the investigation and continues to cooperate with the detectives as the investigation continues.’
It was noted however that ‘these additional charges do not mean the investigation is concluded but will continue until all leads and information is thoroughly evaluated.’
There has been no additional arrests since January, but the following month the district attorney announced that he would be seeking the death penalty in the case.
Mariah’s father, Alex Woods, had previously claimed that his daughter was sexually abused, but the autopsy showed no signs to support that allegation.
Kimrey has a lengthy rap sheet, and had been charged with a crime over 20 times before his arrest for Mariah’s murder.
MARIAH WOODS AUTOPSY
On November 27, 2017 at 0626 hours, Onslow County Emergency Operations was called by a Mr. Earl Kimrey. He stated that when he woke, the 3-year-old daughter (Mariah Woods) of his girlfriend (Kristy Woods) was missing.
The body of Mariah Woods was found in a creek in Pender County on December 02, 2017. The body was wrapped in multiple bags and weighed down with something heavy.
An autopsy was ordered to investigate her death. Significant autopsy findings showed that Mariah had been wrapped in three white, plastic trash bags tied around her neck and a plaid couch cushion covered weighed down by a portion of cement curbing.
The body of a small female child showed a faint bruise of the left face, an abrasion of the left upper eyelid, a faint abrasion over the nose, a faint abrasion beneath the chin, an abrasion of the mid-upper lip and marked immersion changes of the hands and feet.
Mariah Woods died of chloroform toxicity
Possible discoloration of the anus was present at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock. Two to three 1 1/2-inch subgaleal hemorrhages were seen over the posterior/occipital scalp. No natural disease was seen. The brain was swollen without evidence of trauma.
The cause of death was deferred for additional studies. Histology showed prominent islands of chronic inflammation surrounding bronchi (left lung) with scattered multinucleated giant cells without polarizable material. Pulmonary lymphatics were dilated; there was minimal edema. No injury was seen of the cervix or anus by histology.
The brain showed acute hypoxic-ischemic injury. There was no evidence of traumatic injury to the brain, spinal cord or eyes.
Toxicology of aortic blood was positive for caffeine. Peripheral blood was positive for a significantly elevated chloroform level. Lung tissue showed greater than 5.0 mg/kg of chloroform.
Given the investigative, autopsy and toxicological findings, it is my opinion that Mariah Woods’ cause of death was due to chloroform toxicity.