Remains found believed to be of Javeayah Harris: Full news conference

[0:00] Good morning. I'm Marty Sawyer and I'm the sheriff in Aiken County. Thank you for being here today, [0:10] especially the citizens of Aiken that's come in. Thank you for being here. And I'm here to provide [0:17] an update on the investigation that we've been where we've been investigating the death [0:23] of four-year-old Javelia Harris. These updates never get easier to share. This past week has [0:32] been heart-wrenching for everyone, but we've seen an outpouring of support in Aiken County [0:43] and a massive joint law enforcement effort to search for and now to seek justice for [0:53] Javelia Harris. Personally, there's some very harsh words that I would like to use about Jamaria [1:09] and Mishela and their actions, but I will not do that. And I will not do that to protect [1:22] and maintain the integrity of this case. But I will tell you this, I will not refer to them as mom [1:37] and dad or mother or father. They don't deserve that title. I stand before you saying this is one [1:50] of the most difficult, deeply disturbing, and emotionally taxing investigations this office [2:00] has ever worked and is weighed heavily on the sheriff's office, all these other law enforcement [2:09] agencies, all these people behind me that's worked tirelessly to bring this to an end and it's weighed [2:17] heavily on our community. I am truly sickened to share what this investigation has uncovered. [2:28] From the moment Javelia was reported missing, the sheriff's office, as well as our law enforcement [2:33] partners and first responders, we responded with urgency, determination, and compassion. What started [2:43] as an exhaustive and complex search quickly grew to something that I would have never imagined. Now [2:54] understand I cannot discuss all the details. We should have stopped the train. Understand that I cannot [3:27] discuss all the specific details in this case. But at this time I can share that a few human remains [3:41] were recovered in an area known as Cedar Creek Reservoir, also known as Stumpy Pond in Fairfield County. [3:52] These remains were immediately sent to the state law enforcement division and through analysis the DNA of [4:03] the remains are consistent with being the biological offspring of Jamariah and Mishela. I want to also [4:20] share with you that through forensic evidence, statements, and analysis, extensive and deliberate [4:33] efforts were made to destroy and conceal evidence following Javelia's death. Our information reveals the use of [4:49] corrosive chemicals and other tools that were used to accelerate the destruction of her little body. [5:03] After this was completed, these two individuals poured what remains were left of Jamariah into the Cedar [5:16] Creek Reservoir. These subjects went through great lengths to cover their repulsive and revolting actions. [5:28] In my 37-year career in law enforcement, I have never ever heard of anything so horrific. As a result of this [5:43] information, it's unlikely that the entirety of Jamariah's body or any other remains from this point [5:51] forward will be recovered. And I'll say this again, we had all hoped and prayed to find her body, [5:59] but with the information we've uncovered, that's simply not possible. I want to also announce [6:08] additional charges for destruction and desecration of human remains have been filed against these two [6:15] individuals. I know this is heartbreaking for anyone who's followed this case, it's heartbreaking for our [6:32] office for all the law enforcement across the state that's worked on this case countless hours to [6:43] find every piece of evidence with the hope of bringing Javelia home. It's heartbreaking to our [6:51] community. Our commitment has been to pursue the truth regardless of how difficult it may be. While no [7:04] announcement can lessen the profound loss in this case, our commitment remains unchanged. Today is not [7:14] only about the evidence recovered, it's about a child whose life was taken far too soon. While today marks a painful [7:26] chapter in this case, it does not end our work. Our investigators will continue to pursue every lead, examine [7:36] every piece of evidence, and work closely with the second circuit solicitor's office to ensure that justice for [7:44] Javelia is pursued. I ask you to pray. Pray for Javelia and her extended family, our staff, all these other law enforcement agencies, and the [7:57] community. Again, I want to thank all these law enforcement partners, local, state, federal, [8:06] other first responders who assisted this case. But from the time I announced at my last press conference that the investigation had [8:14] taken us outside of Aiken County, I specifically want to thank the State Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina DNR, and Sheriff Will Montgomery and the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office. These DNR divers spent hours and hours and hours searching. [8:21] Finally, I want to again again thank our community. Throughout this investigation, you have demonstrated compassion, encouragement, patience, and prayers. We recognize the emotional impact this case has had on so many, and we thank you for standing with us. Together, this community has shown [8:49] that even in the face of tragedy, compassion, unity, and service remain stronger than the darkness we've encountered. I'm going to take a few questions, but if it didn't come from this press release, you're probably not going to get much more. At this point in time, with what they're charged with, the [9:43] that would be a question for the solicitor's office later down the line. I don't want to speak for them. I'm just going to say the same thing I said at last press conference. We believed that she had been dead for about a month before the 911 call. I can't speak on that. I know the answer. I'm just not going to give that. [10:50] Well, we, you know, everybody's put on Facebook to wear pink. The pink's her favorite color. We just thought it would be, I mean, we care about her like everybody else does. We have people that will be at the vigil tonight. [11:04] I have a previous speaking engagement, so I can't be there. May come late, but we just want to show that we're human beings. We're not robots. We care about the people in this community, especially a four-year-old little girl. This is the most disturbing thing you'll ever see. [11:22] All right. One more question. I'm not going to. Our investigation led us there. Okay. Thank y'all. And thank you, community. [11:33] Now, if you are just joining us, we are just wrapping up a press conference with Sheriff Sawyer in Aiken County, where he says this is one of the most emotionally taxing investigations his office has ever faced. [11:57] Now, during today's news conference, Sheriff Marty Sawyer thanked the community for its support in the search for four-year-old Javaya Harris and in the ongoing effort to bring her justice. [12:07] Now, fighting back emotion throughout this press conference, Sheriff Sawyer says he will not refer to Javaya's parents as mother and father, saying that they don't deserve those titles. [12:18] Now, while investigators are still limited in what they can discuss, the sheriff did confirm that her remains were recovered near Stompy Pond, [12:26] and they have been identified through DNA testing as being consistent with Javaya's biological parents, leading investigators to believe that they are her remains. [12:35] Now, the sheriff also revealed investigators believe corrosive chemicals were used to accelerate the destruction of the child's body before her remains were poured into the Cedar Creek Reservoir in efforts to prevent them from ever being found. [12:51] Now, he did say despite countless hours spent searching by the South Carolina DNR, Department of Natural Resources, divers, and other investigators, he believes the rest of her body will never be recovered. [13:06] Now, the sheriff also said in his 37 years in law enforcement, he's never encountered a case like this. [13:11] He did add that additional charges are expected for the parents of Javaya, but he continued to ask the community to continue praying for not only Javaya, but her parents as well. [13:25] He did say that this investigation is far from over. [13:28] He told community members that he will continue to follow every lead to ensure that justice is served. [13:35] Now, he did add that this is a heartbreaking case that has touched not only Aiken County, but communities across South Carolina and across the country. [13:43] He wrapped up the press conference this morning with the ongoing efforts that they will continue to follow this case and also letting everyone know about a candlelight vigil that they plan on having tonight at 730. [13:57] And he's asking that everyone brings the pink balloons as well as stuffed animals, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse stuffed animals. [14:08] And don't forget to bring your own candlelights. [14:10] Of course, we're going to continue to follow this story as it unfolds and give you the very latest updates as we get them. [14:18] Thank you so much for joining us this morning.