Officials Describe Dismembered Victim As African American Child, 2 Or 3 Years Old

(CBS) -- Medical examiners say a severed head found in Garfield Park's lagoon over the weekend is that of an African American child between the ages of 2 and 3 years.

Officials said Saturday evening that the body parts of a child, including a foot, had been recovered in the 200 block of McCrea Drive, but Monday's announcement offered additional detail about the victim. Investigators subsequently found more parts and reportedly a weight used to sink the evidence.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said they are awaiting other test results on the decomposed body parts. No cause of death has been determined.

Meanwhile, Chicago police stepped up efforts to determine the child's identity. Superintendent Garry McCarthy says he will authorize full resources and do whatever it takes to find those responsible.

CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports police spent more than 12 hours searching Sunday alone.

Police marine and K-9 unites are still searching for the child's torso.

The child's gender is not known. Police are saying there are no reports of missing children in the area.

Much of the 184-acre park remained closed Monday. While the main streets running through the park are open, many of the side streets are blocked by police vehicles or police tape.

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