NM NM - Shiprock, UnkSex&Race 4-6, UP155130, in remote area of the Navajo Nation, Red clot, toy plane, blanket with dried flowers, Mar'01

[Romulus]

Unidentified Person/NamUs #UP155130
Unsure, Uncertain
Date Body Found: March 14, 2001
Location Found: Shiprock, New Mexico
Estimated Age Range: 4-6 Years

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Estimated Age Group: PreAdolescent
Estimated Age Range (Years): 4-6
Estimated Year of Death--
Estimated PMI--
Height: Cannot Estimate
Weight: Cannot Estimate

Circumstances​

Type: Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found: March 14, 2001
NamUs Case Created: February 6, 2026
ME/C QA Reviewed--

Location Found ​

Map​

Location: Shiprock, New Mexico
County: San Juan County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Found On Tribal Land: Yes

Circumstances of Recovery: The remains were located eroding from the side of an arroyo in a remote area of the Navajo Nation. A local archeologist excavated the remains and found a small makeshift grave of arranged stones. The remains were wrapped in a blanket with dried flowers and a toy plane. They were collected by the archaeologist and brought to the OMI.

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Details of Recovery​

Inventory of Remains--
Condition of Remains
Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only

Physical Description​

Hair Color: Unknown
Head Hair Description--
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color: Unknown
Right Eye Color: Unknown
Eye Description--

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Distinctive Physical Features​

No Information Entered​

Clothing and Accessories​

Item
Description
Clothing
Red cloth was found with the remains. Possibly a remnant of a blanket
Near the Body

Other
Toy plane

 

[kforbes862]

Is there nothing estimating how long the remains had been in the makeshift grave?

 

[victoriarobinson642]

I wonder if the child's parents couldn't afford to bury them "properly."