Police: Missing Bloomington baby presumed dead

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WAND) - A Bloomington baby who is missing is now presumed dead, police say.

Bloomington police announced Kimberlee Burton, 29, of Bloomington is now charged with concealing a death in connection with the missing baby, 7-month-old Zaraz Walker.

Burton was previously arrested on February 12 on a charge of retail theft after police said they were called to a store in the 2200 block of W. Market St.

After the arrest, the father of two of Burton's children had his mother come pick up his children, who were 5 and 6 years old. During the pick-up, only the two young children were in the home.

The Bloomington Police Department received a call requesting a well-being check on an infant. The caller was concerned about the infant's (who also lived with Burton and his two children) well-being and could not locate anyone who was taking care of the infant.

BPD began the missing juvenile investigation. Officers attempted to speak with the mother, who was still at the McLean County Jail.

Officers also went to Burton's residence to conduct a well-being check and entered the home.

During a cursory search of the apartment, no infant was found. But police said there were signs a baby had lived there.

Officers applied for several search warrants for the residence to conduct a more thorough search and to collect evidence to be analyzed for the investigation.

Officers were able to locate identification information for the three children that lived there.

The infant was then identified as Zaraz V. Walker. Officers learned that the father of Zaraz may have lived in Illinois or Florida.

They began calling different areas and police department's where the father may be, but could not locate him.

Members of the Criminal Investigation Division began a neighborhood canvas in the 300 block of E. Wood St. After the neighborhood canvas, members of the department began searching the surrounding areas for any evidence of Zaraz.

They searched through the day and night.

The Bloomington Police Department later charged Burton with two counts of felony Child Endangerment for the two young children they say were left at her residence without supervision after her arrest.

Zaraz Walker is still missing, but again, police said they are presuming her to be dead.