June 12, 2025 HUNTS POINT, Bronx, NY – A month-long search for missing 2-year-old Montrell Williams of the Bronx may have tragically concluded yesterday. An unidentified juvenile body, believed to be Montrell, was recovered from the East River by an NYPD Harbor unit near Ferry Point Park, off the Whitestone Bridge. While a positive identification is pending, authorities strongly suspect it is the missing toddler, whose disappearance has gripped the community.

The heartbreaking discovery comes on the same day Montrell's 20-year-old father was named a person of interest in the child's disappearance. Detectives now believe the father may have thrown young Montrell into the Bronx River near the Bruckner Expressway.

A Desperate Plea and Mounting Suspicions

The timeline of Montrell's disappearance and the subsequent investigation paints a grim picture. Montrell's paternal grandmother, who last saw the child a month ago, had an argument with her son before he left with the toddler. She then desperately sought help from the precinct, but due to the father having partial custody, authorities initially referred the family to family court, unsure if a crime had been committed.

"We're still unraveling exactly what happened, were proper procedures followed," stated Mayor Eric Adams, acknowledging the complexities of the initial response.

However, the situation intensified this past Monday. Montrell's 17-year-old mother reportedly confronted the father about their son's whereabouts. When he allegedly claimed he threw Montrell into the Bronx River, she immediately contacted the police.

Investigators found chilling corroboration in surveillance video, reportedly showing the father discarding a bag into the river shortly after leaving his mother's home a month prior. NYPD Chief of Department John Chell described the footage as "unthinkable."

Family's Anguish: A Trust Betrayed?

The father appeared in Bronx Family Court on Monday to address a warrant for failing to return Montrell to his mother, violating their custody agreement. A judge subsequently jailed him for failing to disclose the child's whereabouts. As of now, he has not been criminally charged, though that could change pending official identification of the body and the medical examiner's findings on the cause of death.

The grief-stricken family is struggling to comprehend the devastating turn of events. Montrell's aunt, Alicia Williams, expressed her raw pain to Eyewitness News, recalling how the toddler called for his father. "The baby kept saying 'daddy, daddy, daddy.' That's what crushes me the most. Is that he kept calling him daddy, daddy. He trusted him. He trusted him. He took his life," she said.

The family of the accused father is grappling with immense pain and confusion. "I don't have the answer to why he'd do this. Why he would even think of doing this," Alicia Williams added. The family indicated the father may have recently been struggling with mental health issues, a revelation that deepens the agonizing mystery. "Nobody expected this at all, because he loved his son," shared Montrell's step-grandfather, Leroy Burton, "I don't know what drove him to this."

Remembering Montrell: A Sweet and Happy Toddler

Amidst the tragedy, the family is remembering Montrell as a bright and joyful child. "Montrell was a great baby. It's just hard, it's real hard," Burton shared, his voice heavy with sorrow.

While the father's family held a prayer vigil yesterday, the 17-year-old mother and her family were notably absent, undoubtedly grappling with their own unspeakable grief.

This remains a developing story. A positive identification of the body and the medical examiner's report will be crucial in determining the next steps in this profound tragedy.

What are your thoughts on how communities can better support families struggling with mental health issues that may impact child welfare? Share your insights in the comments below.