FARMINGDALE, N.Y.--The grim discovery of an infant's body in a Farmingdale backyard has sent shock waves across the Farmingdale community and made headlines near and far.
State Police unearthed the body of a child from a Farmingdale man's back yard Friday. The resident of that home has been identified as a "person of interest" in the ongoing investigation.
At a press conference Saturday at Troop L Headquarters, State Police said an investigation that began in upstate Orange County revealed the death of a Justin Kowalczik, who was born in 2009 and would be about 3 years old now. The child was unaccounted for and his death had gone unreported for about a year and a half.
The interview with the child's mother, Heather Kowalczik, also revealed a possible location for the remains of her son, said State Police Major Patrick Regan, commander of Troop L in Farmingdale.
Police obtained a search warrant Friday for the home occupied by Kowalczik and Robert Rodriguez at 1 Hallock Road in Farmingdale.
Regan said the search and extensive dig of a portion of the yard produced the remains of a child in a shallow grave.
Regan identified Robert Rodriguez as a "person of interest" in the case. There was no additional developments in the case since the state police announcement Saturday. Several news outlets, including the New York Daily News, reported that Rodriguez was not cooperating with the investigation.
Rodriguez and Kowalczik have not been charged with any crime.
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The Medical Examiners Office is conducting their investigation and the State Police are waiting for confirmation of the identity and cause of death of the remains found.
Events began to unfold quickly Friday as Suffolk County Child Protective Services began an investigation in the health and welfare of the couple’s 6-year-old child.
State police in Orange County were also involved in the investigation. The couple had lived in Middletown, about 65 miles northwest of Manhattan.
Then, as the Suffolk probe continued, an Amber Alert was issued for the couple’s 9-year-old child, who was missing from school, Regan said. A short time later, police found Rodriguez and the 9-year-old unharmed on Long Island and the Amber Alert was cancelled.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Troop L State Police at (631)756-3390.
Your life ended before you could even grow up, play with trucks, action figures or even learn to ride a bike. I do not know why you had to leave this world, I only know that you did. I know in my heart that you are in a better place playing with other little Angels and fluttering in the clouds with your beautiful wings. I know too hat your death-be it accidental, genetic, complications from a home delivery or even vicious malaise/ murder is still a terrible tragedy to me even though I never knew you. You are gone from us and people speculate about your death, pass ignorant judgements, condemnations and bigoted racist remarks that are not only uncalled for but also unfounded as of yet. They fail to see the the real picture..the tragic loss of a precious gift from our Creator..a Sweet Innocent Child! To me your your race, ethnicity or even your Sir name has no bearing but your loss does! Rest in Peace Sweet Justin and enjoy the beauty of Heaven!
This story has had such an impact on me.. I can't believe these people did this to this innocent child.. It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. Its obvious they both had a part in it. The only helpful thing the mother did was telling them where they could find him. She knew where he was all this time.Shes just as guilty as he is.. I know some may not agree, but I feel shes just as responsible.. I dont know how she went in her back yard and let her other two children play where that child was buried..It sickens me!!! I want to know what exactly happened and it will come out one day... Hope both parents rot in hell!!!