"Abducted" Toddler Now Believed Deceased

Once again I find myself writing about a story of a missing child that has come to a tragic end. He is such a beautiful child but his life was snuffed out way too early. I wish this would be the last story like this I would report but sadly I don't believe this it will.

The Roanoke Police Department is now treating the case of a missing toddler as a death investigation.

2-year-old was reported missing last Thursday, but police say conflicting information has turned the focus on Brandon Lockett, the boys step-father. Lockett is now being questioned by Police in the death of his step-son. No charges have been filed.

Roanoke Police say that Lockett has told them the boy was dead prior to his 911 call reporting him missing.

An Amber Alert was originally put into effect for 2-year-old Aveion Malik Lewis. He was reportedly last seen wearing yellow SpongeBob Squarepants footie pajamas.

Police reported that the stepfather claimed that three men took the boy Thursday after they knocked him (the stepfather) unconscious. They left a note asking for money.

The police department says authorities have conducted ground and aerial searches and spoken to residents in the area.

It is so tragic when a young child loses his life to an adult who should have been there for him. I hope that they find the child soon to give him a proper burial.

*************UPDATE**********************

The stepfather of a missing Roanoke toddler has been charged with felony child neglect.

Roanoke police said 24-year-old Brandon Lockett also was charged Wednesday with improper disposal of a human body and obstruction of justice.

Police continued to search wooded areas and the banks of the Roanoke River for the body of 2-year-old Aveion Malik Lewis.