Michigan man receives another life sentence for kidnapping death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

(CBS) – A man from Michigan who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment on state charges in connection with the death of two-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith has been sentenced to another life sentence in the federal case, the US Attorney's Office announced on Friday.

Rashad Trice was convicted after plead guilty to kidnapping resulting in deathIn the case of the state pleaded guilty for premeditated murder and first degree sexual abuse.

“Today we achieved a measure of justice,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. “We cannot bring back Wynter Cole-Smith's precious life, but we can do our best to ensure her killer is found guilty and spends the rest of his life in prison, and that is exactly what we did today.” Totten continued, “I am so grateful to the hundreds of officers from over two dozen law enforcement agencies who rushed to join the nationwide search for Wynter Cole-Smith. Their commitment to protecting and serving her was overwhelming.”

Investigators said Trice kidnapped Wynter on July 2, 2023in Lansing. A criminal complaint filed in federal court last year showed that Trice and Wynter's mother got into an argument and he attacked her before taking the child from their home. Trice was arrested in St. Clair Shores in the early morning hours of July 3; however, the child was not with him at the time of the arrest.

Wynter's body was found near Detroit's Coleman A. Young International Airport on July 5. Investigators determined that Trice had strangled the child with a telephone cord.

“Our hearts are still breaking for little Wynter. She should still be here,” said Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, in a statement. “The tireless search and coordination of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the state over several days to bring her home safely truly demonstrated the dedicated, cooperative effort we put into working every day to protect and serve our citizens. While nothing will bring little Wynter back, I hope her family finds some comfort in this effort and today's verdict.”