After a 3-year-old boy was reported missing in Corinna, Maine on January 12, 2025, the Maine Department of Public Safety officials confirmed that he passed away. According to state officials, the boy’s father found him outside in the snow near the residence where he was reported missing.

State officials suspect the toddler died from exposure to the harsh winter elements, though the official cause of death will be determined following an autopsy conducted by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.

The incident unfolded early in the morning when the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 8:30 a.m. from a concerned woman reporting that her young nephew had gone missing from a home on Exeter Road.

Shortly after, the boy’s father made the heartbreaking discovery. “Regretfully, the male child succumbed to injuries which appear to be consistent with exposure to the elements,” reads a message from state officials.

Authorities have also confirmed that this was an isolated incident and assured the public that there is no ongoing safety concern.

In a statement addressing the loss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “The loss of a child is devastating and tragic. Our condolences are with the family and those impacted.”

Due to confidentiality laws and the sensitive nature of the case, officials declined to provide further comment. News Center Maine reports that the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation with support from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and Maine DHHS.