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Baltimore police charge mother, partner in death of 4-year old son first reported missing

City police say 4 year-old Malachi Lawson was reported missing August 1, from the 4500 block of Rogers Avenue in Northwest Baltimore City. An immediate and aggressive search for young Malachi was launched by members of the Baltimore Police Department, the FBI, as well as members of the community. 

At a news conference Friday,  Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said after  an extensive interviews Friday night with Malachi's mother, Alicia Lawson, confessed that her son was not missing, but deceased. She subsequently  gave detectives the location of the child's remains, which were in the5500 block of Haddon Avenue," said Harrison.  On Saturday morning at approximately 4:45 a.m.,  detectives found the remains of  Malachi Lawson in a dumpster. "His biological mother and her spouse, Shatika Lawson will be charged with child neglect resulting in the death of a minor."
 
Pending the results of an autopsy by the medical examiners to determine the exact cause of death, and a thourough review by the Baltimore City State's Attorney's office,  more charges coud follow.  Police would not say whether Malachi was fully clothed when his body was discovered or whether there were obvious signs of injury, such as bullet or stab wounds. "  Lt. Colonel Herzog said there disappear to be signs of injurry but that was as far as he could go in releasing more details. "Unfortunatley,  at this time, because this is an ongoing investigation, (the case) has been handed over to the homicide section, we can;'t get into those details at this point," said Herzog.
 
Malachi's biological mother and her spouse are currently in police custody. Anyone with additional information pertaining to the death Malachi Lawson is asked to call detectives at (410) 396-2100. Once the women are processed their charges and arrest photos will be made available.
 

The FBI, Maryland State Police and a number of community organizations, as well as  team organized by Baltimore District 5 City Councilman Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer had joined in the search for 4-year old Malachi Lawson.