Missouri sheriff trying to identify child's remains

DIXON, Mo. -- A south-central Missouri sheriff is hoping new information could help identify the remains of a child found in a rural area three years ago.

Pulaski County Sheriff Ron Long told The Waynesville Daily Guide he wants to try one last time before closing the case of the remains of the child found near Dixon in the fall of 2013.

The remains, which consisted of the child's skull, were discovered by a photographer.

"The skull had been there for some time," Long said.

Recent test results from the University of Arizona- Tucson showed the child died between 1967 and 1972, which is earlier than authorities originally had believed.

Long said he hopes someone might remember something odd or know of a child who may have gone missing, or even a grave that may have been disturbed so this child can be identified.

He said he's unaware of any missing children in Pulaski County during that time, but he's hoping the new dates could lead to new information before he recommends detectives close the case for now.

The child, whose gender hasn't been determined, would have been born between 1957 and 1959 and would have been between about 10 and 12 years old at the time of death.

Long said the skull showed no signs of trauma.

"Just the skull was found, which makes us think this may have been an animal grave robbing. It was brought in there by somebody or something. There were no signs that the child was murdered there," Long said.