The tragic discovery of five-year-old Darnell Taylor’s body in a sewage drain has shocked the Columbus community. The boy had been missing for two days before his remains were found early Friday morning. His foster mother, Pammy Maye, is currently in police custody in connection with the case.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office has classified the case as a homicide, and an investigation is ongoing. Maye was apprehended late Thursday night on Tiedeman Road in Brooklyn, following a tip-off from a witness who reported seeing her in the area. Shortly after her arrest, police located Darnell’s body nearby.
After her arrest, Maye was taken to a local hospital where she provided information to law enforcement about the events leading up to Darnell’s death. This information led officers to the location of the boy’s remains. Prior to this, an alert had been issued to Cleveland residents to be on the lookout for Maye and Darnell.
The case began to unfold when Maye’s husband contacted the police early Wednesday morning. He expressed concern over statements his wife had made, suggesting she might harm their foster child. The couple had been caring for Darnell since May 2023, when he was just three years old. Darnell’s biological family has since been informed of the tragic news.
It has come to light that police had previously been called to Maye’s residence for an unrelated incident several months prior. As the investigation continues, a chilling 911 call was played during a news conference on Thursday. The caller, believed to be Maye’s husband, can be heard stating that his wife claimed to have killed their foster child.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the perceived imminent danger Darnell was believed to be in. Darnell’s biological grandfather, Anthony Baines, had made a heartfelt plea for his grandson’s safe return before the tragic discovery of the boy’s body. Baines expressed feelings of guilt over Darnell’s disappearance, as he had made the decision to place him for adoption.
The heartbreaking case of Darnell Taylor underscores the tragic end to his disappearance. As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, more details are expected to emerge.