Police find body believed to be missing Virginia 2-year-old Noah Tomlin

Authorities in Virginia announced Wednesday that remains of a child believed to be missing 2-year-old Noah Tomlin have been recovered.

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Update 1:45 p.m. EDT June 30: Hampton police Chief Terry Sult said a search team found a body believed to be Noah's around 8:50 a.m. local time at a steam plant that had been part of the search area.

"Investigators, forensic technicians and the medical examiner's office are currently processing the scene for formal confirmation and identification," Suit said.

Noah's mother, Julia Tomlin, reported the 2-year-old missing on June 24, launching a massive search that saw authorities searching more than two million pounds of trash for signs of the boy. Sult said more than 10,000 manhours went into the efforts.

“The priority all along has been to find Noah.,” Sult said Wednesday. "Noah is the epitome of an innocent victim. He, like all victims, deserves better."

Police on June 28 arrested Julia Tomlin on three counts of felony child neglect.

It was not immediately clear whether charges would be filed in connection to Noah's death.

"That will be evaluated by the Commonwealth's attorney," Sult said. "There's still investigation that has to go on, including an autopsy."

Update 4:30 p.m. EDT June 30: Police said Saturday morning that Julia Leanna Tomlin, the mother of missing 2-year-old Noah Tomlin, has been charged with three counts of felony child neglect, according to a Friday news release from the Hampton Police Department.

WKTR reported that police presumed Noah to be dead.

According to The Daily Press, Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult said although police believe Noah is dead, they will "will never give up hope."

The investigation is ongoing.

Update 11:45 p.m. EDT June 28: The mother of missing Virginia toddler, Noah Tomlin has been arrested according to WAVY.

In a late press briefing, Hampton Police Chief

Terry Sult said that Julia Tomlin is in custody.

Charges are pending, according to Sult.

Original report: Authorities are searching a landfill for signs of a missing Virginia toddler who reportedly vanished from his Hampton mobile home Monday.

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According to WAVY-TV and the Daily Press, Hampton police Chief Terry Sult told reporters Wednesday that a search of the Bethel Landfill "was always in the plan" since 2-year-old Noah Tomlin was reported missing two days earlier.

"There is nothing specific that led us to the landfill," he said of the site, which is about 10 miles from Noah's Atlantic Avenue home. "But in past experience, we have found we often have to search these areas."

Police need your assistance locating Noah Tomlin, 2-year-old white male, last seen wearing a white and green pajama...

Posted by Hampton Police on Monday, June 24, 2019

The boy's mother told police that she last saw Noah about 1 a.m. Monday when she put him to bed, WAVY reported. About 10 hours later, she called police to report him missing, authorities said.

Noah reportedly was wearing a diaper and a white-and-green pajama shirt before he disappeared.

Police said using "all available resources" to try to find the boy and have received assistance from state and federal authorities.

"We have looked on land, water. We have checked trash dumpsters. We have checked neighborhoods, houses, underneath buildings, in sheds." Sult said, according to CNN. "We actually covered the area multiple times with different teams so we would have different eyes checking the same locations repeatedly."

Investigators continue to look into multiple possible scenarios, including foul play, Sult added.

Police said Noah's parents have been cooperative but did not release their names, the Daily Press reported. Authorities also have contacted the child's extended family, including people who live outside the state.

Police are asking anyone with information about Noah's disappearance to call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or 757-727-6111.