HAMPTON, Va. — Three weeks after Noah Tomlin was reported missing, we’re hearing from his grandparents and sister.
Saturday, the medical examiner’s office confirmed the remains found earlier this month are those of the two-year-old.
Noah Tomlin's family has many unanswered questions. They're still trying to come to grips with his death.
Unfortunately, their time spent with 2-year-old Noah was incredibly short because of family conflict. They only met him once, just a few days before his mother Julia reported him missing.
“It was good, it was good to get to know him,” Noah’s sister Leanna Jones said.
Noah's grandfather Vincent Jones said it seemed Julia was back on track. The family planned to go see Noah again.
“I was shocked and didn't want to believe she did anything wrong, but the more we were looking at it, the more I knew she was involved,” Jones said. “An innocent life was taken so soon.”
Vincent and his wife Cindy Jones have custody of three of Julia's 10 kids, including Leanna, who's not only dealing with her brother's death but her mom behind bars.
“I just think of the positive parts about the situation, like Noah is no longer suffering,” Jones said. “I believe he's in a better place.”
The family is asking for better child welfare laws, so this won't happen again.
“The system failed Noah,” Cindy Jones said.
In the meantime, the family is focused on healing, and remembering Noah.
“It's been very hard,” Cindy Jones said. “I wish I could have known him the way I know my other grandchildren, but we will know each other someday.”
Hampton police found Noah's body at a steam plant on July 3.
The two-year-old was reported missing on June 24, and on June 28, police arrested his mother, 34-year-old Julia Tomlin. She faces three counts of Felony Child Neglect.
“We knew it was him, but it set it to rest and now we can move forward with the funeral,” Vincent Jones said.
The Jones’ say they have been shocked and surprised by the community’s support, but it has been amazing.
The family is holding a private service for Noah for family and friends, and it’s invitation only. It was planned by Jamie Abbott and Lydia White. Then there will be a public service for the toddler next Saturday, July 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Noah's tree on 1st Street and Seaboard Avenue in Hampton.
A Facebook page was set up by White and Abbott, who have been designated as the spokesperson's for the Jones Family on behalf of Noah's Siblings. You can contact them on their Noah support group.
“They started the tree for him and have been doing fabulous," Jones said.
There is a fund for a permanent memorial for Noah, and any funeral incidentals that may pop up, an urn for example. The Funeral has been donated.
The rough estimate given for a memorial statue is up to $15,000. The memorial will be placed at Parklawn-Wood Cemetery.
Any funds left over will be going to nonprofits that help foster children, abused children, and/or neglected children. A list of nonprofits fitting these characteristics will be provided by the United Way. Noah's siblings will choose from the list provided.
All the funds will be approved and dispersed by United Way. No family members or spokespeople of them will be receiving any of these funds.
You can donate here.