Body of missing toddler is found in a California aqueduct two weeks after car crash which killed his mother and brother
- Noah Abbott, two, died after car he was in crashed through rail into aqueduct
- March 2 tragedy killed his mother, Christina Eileen Estrada, 31, and brother Jeremiah Abbott, three
- Sheriff's department investigation found the crash was a 'tragic accident'
- Family say they are relieved they can finally bury the toddler
A body found in a California aqueduct is believed to be that of a two-year-old who has been missing since a car crash which killed his mother and brother two weeks ago.
Noah Abbott was not found after the collision in Hesperia on March 2.
His mother Christina Eileen Estrada, 31, and three-year-old brother Jeremiah Abbott died after the Volkswagen Beetle convertible they were in crashed through a rail into the aqueduct.
Noah Abbott, two (left) and brother Jeremiah (right) both died in the crash on March 2
The toddler's body was found four miles from the scene of the crash, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed.
The discovery was made by divers at around noon yesterday, the department stated.
Older brother Elijah Estrada, 10, survived the crash but was injured. He was able to assist authorities in finding the bodies of his family members.
The sheriff's department ruled that there was 'nothing to suggest that this is anything other than a very tragic accident', KTLA[4] reports.
Family members have said the childrens' father was not in the car when it crashed.
The tragedy prompted an overwhelming reaction from the family's local community, with friends helping with sea rches after the Sheriff's Dive Team was forced to conclude its search of the aqueduct.
Tragedy: Noah (left), mother Christina (second left) and Jeremiah (top, center) died as a result of the crash
A total of $46,162 was raised through a GoFundMe[5] campaign to support the family. Another fundraising drive[6], set up by cousin Natalia Garcia, has raised nearly $20,000 to pay for funerals.
Steven Abbott, brother of Noah's father Kevin Abbott, stated, according to 247 Headline[7]: 'Please be respectful and understand that we are not saddened by this information yet we are thankful, grateful, and appreciative of this as we can now lay the final member of our family that lost there life in this tragic accident to rest.
'We rejoice in the fact that it is over our baby is home and we seek in the lord. Rejoice with us so that now our hearts can be healed and our family can be laid to rest.'
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is continuing with their investigation and the body believed to be Noah Abbott was picked up from the location by Coroner's officials.
Before Noah's body was found, grandmother Shayla Rhodes told KTLA[8]: 'Even though my baby is in this aqueduct, he is an angel in heaven, and those babies are angels in heaven and we have to just go through the grieving process.'
References
- ^ Dave Burke For Mailonline (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ e-mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ 6 View comments (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ KTLA (ktla.com)
- ^ GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ fundraising drive (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ 247 Headline (247headline.com)
- ^ KTLA (ktla.com)
