Remains found in a rural Northern Indiana area have been confirmed to be those of missing 2 year old Jada Justice. Read about this story, see pictures and a video below.
Jada Justice
A question no mother or father ever wants to hear came all too soon for the Justice Family of Gary, Indiana. On Friday, June 26, 2009 parents of little 2 year old Jada Justice were given a photo and asked to identify the body of their baby girl. Coroner John Sullivan opted to use a photo used during the autopsy rather than identify the body in person to spare even more trauma to the family.
Jada Justice was in the care of her 18 year old cousin and babysitter, Engelica Castillo when she went missing. Castillo claims on June 16, 2009 she stopped at a convenience store to buy milk and left Jada inside the car alone while she went in. She said when she came back out Jada was gone.
Authorities arrested Engelica Castillo as well as her 24 year old boyfriend Tim Tkachik. They are being charged with Jada’s murder as well as neglect, battery and false informing.
The details Tim Tkachik gave to authorities are very disturbing.
Castillo continued to recount the same story of the child vanishing from her car while her boyfriend told a totally different story which eventually led the police right to Jada’s body. Tkachik stated before going to bed on Wednesday, June 15 he did a few lines of heroine. When he got up the next morning he found his girlfriend, Castillo, spanking Jada and pulling her hair. He said he noticed later on in the evening Jada was not breathing. Castillo began screaming and crying and they proceeded to place her body in garbage bags. They attempted to light her body on fire until there was an explosion resulting in Tkachik sustaining burns to his face and arms. Tkachik then said they decided to put Jada’s body in a tub, fill it with concrete and then came up with the story about her abduction.
Castillo’s attorney, T. Edward Page, says this recount is false.
“A plea of not guilty will be entered at the first opportunity, and we believe that once all of the evidence is presented to a fair and impartial jury she will be cleared of responsibility for her cousin’s death,” stated Engelica’s attorney.
Both Castillo and Tkachik are being held in Crown Point and are schedule for an initial court appearance Monday, June 29, 2009.
See additional photos and a video about the Indiana missing toddler body found below.
Jada Justice, Engelica Castillo, Tim Tkachik - Photos
Jada Justice Body Found Official Statement - Video
June 29th, 2009 at 8:03 am
i think that is sad what they did to a two year old.even though i am only 14 yeas old, my heart goes out to her family.i have a nine year old sister and that could have been her.i just am sad to hear the lost of your child and will keep your family in my prayers.
July 4th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I am so very sad to hear about two year old Jada. My heart and prayers goes out to the family. She was a very beautiful girl.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I first want to tell Jadas’ family that I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. Jada was a very beautiful little girl. She didn’t deserve to be treated the way she was especially by someone in her family that she trusted and looked up to. When I first heard about Jadas’ story it scared me and it made me disgusted. I couldn’t unserstand why anyone would want to harm such a small and innocent child for. I also am a mother of a 2 year old and I couldn’t imagine having to go through what your family was forced to go through. I have never prayed so hard in my life before. I wanted so desperately to hear that Jada was returned back to you safely and unharmed. Jada and her family will remain in my prayers. NO MATTER WHAT I HOPE JADAS’ FAMILY STAYS STRONG IN THEIR FIGHT TO JUSTICE.