Mariah Woods death: Horrifying autopsy details reveals toddler thrown into creek was poisoned

Three-year-old Mariah Woods died of 'chloroform toxicity,' the autopsy report revealed

An autopsy report has included disturbing revelations about the death of three-year-old Mariah Woods, a toddler whose body was found in a North Carolina creek last year.

The child likely died of "chloroform toxicity" after suffering traumatic injuries to her face, the report indicated. Her body was found 2 December 2017, wrapped in garbage bags and stuffed inside a couch cushion along with rocks and cement.

Earl Kimrey, who was dating the toddler's mother, Kristy Woods, has been charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse. If convicted, prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty against him.

The three-year-old's disappearance became a nationwide story when the FBI released surveillance video from a North Carolina Wal-Mart located an hour away from her home. The video appeared to show a woman holding the child just hours after she went missing.

Mr Kimrey called the Onslow County police department to report the child was missing, triggering a national Amber Alert. In his call to authorities, the mother's live-in boyfriend sounded distraught, telling the officer he had searched everywhere and had last seen her before 9:00 p.m. the previous night.

Almost immediately, investigators believed she was taken from the home rather than having left on her own.

Earl Kimrey, who is being held on more than $1m on charges that include concealing a death and obstruction of justice (AP)

The toddler, who suffered from muscular dystrophy, was not wearing a pair of medical shoes designed to allow her to properly walk when she disappeared from the mobile home.

Her mother told police she had said goodnight to the child around 11.00 p.m. Mr Kimrey later told police he had left the home for a short period that night, and that the toddler had woken up but was put back to bed.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Sheriff’s Office said "Kristy Woods has been cooperative with the investigation and continues to cooperate with the detectives as the investigation continues."

Mr Kimrey, who remains in jail under a $1m bond, was also charged with obstruction of justice, concealing a death, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property.

"The death of a child is always a sobering reminder of how fragile life is. When the community is so deeply affected by such a horrific crime it is sometimes difficult to not allow our emotions to influence the decisions that we make," North Carolina Sheriff Hans Miller said in a statement.

"However, the best way to honour Mariah is to ensure a fair and thorough investigation, which will lead to a successful prosecution. We must remember that through these moments, together, as a community we can ensure that justice will be delivered for Mariah."

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment, has not released a suspected motive for the toddler’s murder. The medical examiner’s office also did not respond to enquiries.