MISSING 15-YEAR-OLD’S BODY FOUND IN LANDFILL — WEEKS AFTER MAN WAS CHARGED IN HIS MURDER

The search for 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather has ended with a devastating discovery.

Ja’Derrius, who had been missing since June 5, was found in a landfill near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, nearly two months after he disappeared. Authorities identified the remains through DNA testing, with assistance from the LSU FACES Lab and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

THE SEARCH WAS MASSIVE

Investigators began searching the Baton Rouge North Landfill in July after determining that Ja’Derrius’ remains may have been transported there with household trash.

The operation involved the Baton Rouge Police Department, FBI and other agencies, with crews working through enormous amounts of waste under extreme heat. Authorities described the landfill as an active crime scene.

The landfill covers more than 400 acres and receives roughly 1,600 tons of waste every day, illustrating the scale of the recovery effort.

A SUSPECT WAS ALREADY CHARGED

Maurice Parms, 51, was arrested on June 20 and charged with first-degree murder.

Investigators allege that Parms concealed Ja’Derrius’ body and disposed of it in a trash container that was eventually taken to the landfill.

Additional charges were filed against Parms on August 14 in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl, including second-degree rape, child trafficking and indecent behavior with juveniles. He remains in custody.

NOW THERE IS A FINAL ANSWER ABOUT JA’DERRIUS’ WHEREABOUTS

For weeks, investigators searched through an enormous landfill hoping to recover the teenager.

Now his family finally knows where he was.

But the discovery also leaves a painful question:

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED TO JA’DERRIUS BEFORE HIS BODY WAS TAKEN TO THE LANDFILL?

The criminal case against Parms is continuing, and prosecutors will still have to prove their allegations in court.

HE DISAPPEARED ON JUNE 5.

A SUSPECT WAS CHARGED WEEKS LATER.

AND NOW — AFTER A MASSIVE LANDFILL SEARCH — JA’DERRIUS HAS FINALLY BEEN FOUND.

For his mother and loved ones, the discovery brings a measure of closure — but not the answers they hoped for.