Concealing a Body Charges in Baby’s Death

The story is complex, and still holds a number of unanswered questions. But investigators are determined to get to the bottom of what caused baby Natallya’s death, and why her young father hid her body for days afterwards.

 
On Saturday, baby Natallya went missing. Three days later, on Tuesday morning, her mother, Brittany Rich, reported her 4-month-old daughter missing. Police began a search for the child who was last seen in the care of her father, Matthew Bradley. According to family members, Bradley was supposed to drop the baby off at a babysitter’s on Saturday evening, but never showed up.

 
Bradley was no where to be found. Later that day, Rich also disappeared after telling relatives that she was going to meet Bradley. Now both the baby and her parents were missing. Police continued their search and finally, late on Tuesday night, arrested Rich and Bradley in a Wendy’s Restaurant.

 
According to police, Rich was released and is cooperating with the investigation. And as for Bradley? The arrest was apparently on another warrant that had nothing to do with his daughter’s disappearance.

 
But Natallya was still unaccounted for. Early on Wednesday morning, however, police arrived at the Bradley home and set up a perimeter. They called Bradley’s mother, Heidi Thill, outside, and questioned her. And while they asked her questions, officers searched the house.

 
Natallya’s body was found in the basement. Apparently Bradley had told police where to look after his arrest. Police say that he told them that she could be found, dead in her car seat. But questions remain in the wake of the discovery. How did she die, and why was her death concealed?

 
Bradley appeared in court on the unrelated charge.  The judge then confronted him about hiding the baby’s body, and charged him with a felony because of it. Under Michigan law, concealing a body in order to conceal an individual’s death is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and up to $5,000 in fines.

 
Police still do not know how little Natallya died, and until the autopsy report is out, there will likely be no additional charges. Police say that the case is still under investigation, and they have no idea as of now whether or not there was abuse involved, or if it was simply a tragic accident.