MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee Police Department said they found three-year-old Major Harris' remains near 35th St. and Rohr Ave. on Milwaukee's north side. 

An Amber Alert for Major was issued on Saturday. He was last seen Oct. 9 in La Crosse. 

Acting police chief Jeff Norman said the department formally ended the search, but said the investigation for the boy's death is ongoing. 

According to the medical examiner, Major's death has been ruled a homicide. 

 

Police said they searched the area near 35th St. and Rohr Ave. based on recent tips they received, but it is unclear who those tips came from.

Milwaukee police announced the launch of "Operation Green Light," a $350,000 program that "provides real-time intelligence for criminal investigations." Four high visibility cameras were installed on W. Villard Ave. from N. Teutonia Ave. to N. Hopkins St. The cameras all have license plate reader functions and stream directly to the department's Fusion Center. Police officials said that the new program actually helped narrow down the search to locate Major. 

Officials from the police department released the following statement:

The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is thankful for all the community members that volunteered to search for Major Harris along with MPD. During the search, MPD investigators obtained an investigative lead that led us to the area of N. 35th Street and W. Rohr Avenue, which was not in the coordinated search area. Investigators responded to this area and located Major Harris, who was tragically found deceased. This is a fluid and ongoing investigation. 

The Milwaukee Police Department sends our condolences to the families and friends of both victims that were impacted by this tragic incident.  

Major's father, Carlton Harris Jr., and some community members, have criticized the police department for not organizing larger, more intense searches earlier on in the investigation. 

“I’m prayerful right now, that me and my family get the truth exposed. Right now I am taking the necessary steps in the right direction to hire a lawyer so I can fight for them because I need justice for both of them,” he said. 

Carlton said he plans to sue the police department. 

"The Milwaukee Police Department appreciates that the family is experiencing unimaginable grief. We continue to send our sincere condolences to everyone that was impacted by the tragic death of Major Harris and Mallery Muenzenberger," police officials said. "MPD has worked tirelessly over the past week to locate Major and to ensure that justice is rendered to the victims of this horrific incident, and that investigation remains ongoing."

Major's mother, Mallery Muenzenberger was found dead last Thursday in Milwaukee. Milwaukee police said six people have been taken into custody in connection to her death. The medical examiner said there were "obvious signs of trauma."

Milwaukee police said they are not releasing names os suspects in the case, as they have not been charged at this time. As of Friday morning, police said they had made no additional arrests. 

Authorities said 20-year-old Jaheem Clark, of Milwaukee, a person of interest in Muenzenberger’s death and a suspect in Major’s disappearance, killed himself Sunday after police arrived at his home.

Cavalier Johnson, common council president, issued the following statement: 

My heart instantly broke as I learned of the discovery this afternoon of the body of missing three-year-old Major Harris. Despite a large-scale search for Major by volunteer searchers and Milwaukee Police officers, our worst fear has come to fruition.

My prayers go to the loved ones of Major and his mother, Mallery Muenzenberger, who was shot to death and found in a backyard on October 14th.

No family and no community should go through such terrible trauma and heartbreak. As a community we must continue to show our support for the loved ones most affected by this entire senseless tragedy. I’ve had a pit in my stomach and my heart has been heavy since Major was taken. It is a feeling that no parent, no grandparent, no member of our community should feel — especially as it relates to the safety of our children. 

Let me be clear: We should not be burying children because of violence. Period.

I want to thank all of the community organizations and volunteers (including MPD officers) who stepped forward and searched for Major. Your true selflessness and love shown through in your actions to try to find Major, and the entire city thanks you.

MPD has made arrests in connection with this case, and I strongly encourage anyone with information about the case that may be of interest to law enforcement to please call MPD at 414-935-7360 as soon as possible to share any detail, no matter how small it may seem. Or you can contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips App for a cash reward.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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