MassDOT Renews Billboard Effort to Assist Deer Island Investigators

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, along with the Suffolk County District Attorney, Winthrop Police, and Massachusetts State Police, today unveiled a new digital billboard featuring the little girl whose body was found on Deer Island and whose identity remains the subject of an intensive investigation.

The billboards represent a redesign and new wording from digital billboards that MassDOT had featured over the past two months; the redesign is intended to help maintain the case’s high public profile by presenting a fresh image to the tens of thousands of motorists who pass the billboards every day.

A total of 84 MassDOT-permitted billboards in 50 locations across Massachusetts will feature the computer-generated composite image of the young girl and a photo of the leggings she was wearing, under the headline, “Remember Me? Then please tell the police!” The digital boards also feature dedicated tip lines that may be reached by phone or text. The new billboards will run at least through the end of October. Tipsters are reminded not to text while driving.

State and Winthrop Police and the district attorney’s office continue to ask anyone who may have information about the young girl’s identity to contact us. Tipsters may text the word GIRL followed by their tip to the number 67283 (the text-a-tip line is anonymous) or call 617-396-5655. All tips go directly to investigators.

The young girl’s body was found inside a trash bag by a dog walker along the western shore of Deer Island on the afternoon of June 25. The girl is believed to have been about 4 years old, had brown eyes and brown hair, weighed about 30 pounds, and stood about 3½ feet tall. She was wearing a distinctive pair of white leggings with black-and-white polka dots and was found with a zebra-print fleece blanket that investigators believe may have been special to her.

In the days and weeks that followed, investigators have acted on hundreds of leads suggesting possible matches for the young girl, coordinating well-being checks on children throughout Massachusetts, as well as in 35 other states and several countries. To date, more than 200 girls have been ruled out as being the Deer Island little girl. Investigators have conducted or are still conducting a range of forensic testing, including tests on pollen found on the girl’s hair and clothing, testing of oxygen ratios in isotopes in her hair and teeth, and creation of an advanced DNA profile. The effort to learn her name and the circumstances of her death continues on multiple fronts.

TODDLER FOUND DECEASED ON DEER ISLAND

HELP US SPEAK FOR THIS CHILD

On June 25 of this year, the body of a deceased toddler-age girl was found on the western shore of Deer Island in Winthrop. State and local police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office continue to try to identify the girl, and are again making an appeal to the public for help. Today, we are releasing a computer-generated composite image of the girl prepared by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This image depicts what the child may have looked like in life. We are also releasing images of the leggings she was wearing when found, which are white with black polka dots, and of a black and white zebra-stripe blanket found with the child’s body. The girl was approximately four years old at the time of her death, had brown eyes and brown hair, weighed about 30 pounds, and stood about 3½ feet tall.

We ask the public to be alert for any children who seem to have gone missing from their communities, their neighborhoods, schools, summer programs, parks, churches or any other places where people gather. Also, please look around July 4th gatherings – block parties, cookouts, town fireworks displays – and consider whether a child whom you would have expected to see there is now not present.

Anyone with any information about this toddler or who has information about a missing child is urged to call Massachusetts State Police at 508-820-2121 (24-hour number), the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817, or Winthrop Police at 617-539-5806.

Thank you. Please help us speak for this child who can no longer speak for herself.

Please share our Facebook post and Like our Facebook page for updates.

UPDATE 7/3/2015 at 5:45 PM:
We are extremely grateful for the many tips we have received, and we ask the public to keep sharing this little girl's photo and information so that we may continue to receive and follow up on leads. Many commenters have mentioned Aliayah Lunsford, the missing West Virginia girl. Please note that we have explored that lead and are confident that our little girl is not Aliayah. Thank you again and continue to send us your tips.

UPDATED 7/9/2015 at 8:25 AM:

Based on additional information provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children late yesterday completed an updated composite image depicting the child whose body was found in a trash bag on the western shore of Deer Island on June 25.  The updated image adds earrings in the child’s ears.  The composite and updated flyers/posters in English and Spanish are attached for your use going forward: the previous composite should not be considered inaccurate, but this one represents the most up-to-date version.

. https://www.facebook.com/MassStatePolice/posts/851448904939094:0

Bourne Traffic Advisory

Bourne Rotary and Bridge to be closed for morning commute as hazardous material cleanup of gas tanker crash continues. #MAtraffic

Update 7:58 a.m.
Cleanup still underway. Truck has been removed. Gasoline cleanup continues. Traffic is being detoured onto the Scenic Highway and Sandwich Road to traverse over the Sagamore Bridge. Estimated time for re-opening is between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.

Update 9:10 a.m.
Bridge is open going off cape, no lanes open coming on cape. Rotary has one lane open. Cleanup continues.

Update 9:14 a.m.
Bridge now open; One lane coming onto cape, two lanes going off cape. Outer lane in rotary is open, inner lane is closed for cleanup.

North Andover Traffic Advisory: Rte 114

MAtraffic Advisory: Propane tanker TT-unit involved in crash on Rte 114 in North Andover. Detours being set up now. Expect delays. Seek alt. route.

Warren Traffic Advisory: I-90

MAtraffic: I-90 WB at Warren/Brimfield town line CLOSED due to crash, near 69 mile-marker (Between Exits 8 & 9). EB side has breakdown lane only open for traffic. Expect delays. Seek Alt Route.  Crash occurred WB is now on EB side.

 Update 8:58 a.m.
All lanes CLOSED, Eastbound and Westbound

Update 9:38 a.m.
Medical helicopter has landed on Westbound side. All lanes EB & WB are still closed.

Update 9:59 a.m.
Eastbound traffic is now slowly moving; only breakdown lane is open. Westbound traffic is still closed.

Update:  10:26 a.m.
Breakdown lane now open, I-90 WB at crash scene in Warren/Brimfield.

Update 11:35 a.m.
Still only breakdown lane open on both EB & WB sides. Approximate 12-mile backup WB and 8-mile backup EB.

Update 1:27 p.m.
All WB lanes now open. EB still only breakdown lane open.

Final Update 2:30 p.m.
All lanes now open EB.  Crash scene is clear.

Worcester Traffic Advisory: I-290 EB

#MAtraffic Crash I-290 EB under I-190 in #Worcester. Right lane closed. Minor injuries.

Worcester Traffic Advisory: I-190

MAtraffic Advisory:  I-190 Northbound & Southbound currently CLOSED due to emergency sign removal.  Major traffic delays.  Estimated road closure until approximately 6:00 p.m.  Seek alternate route.

Ludlow Road Repair: I-90 WB

MAtraffic Expansion joint repair; I-90 (Mass Pike) WB at 58 mm in Ludlow. Right lane closed. Repair expected to go into evening commute.

Leominster Traffic Advisory

Emergency repair, Rte 2 EB at Exit 32 in #Leominster. #MAtraffic backed up to Exit 30. Left lane closed. Expect delays.

Travel Ban to Go Into Effect at 12 a.m. Tuesday

UPDATE 1/27/2015 at 5:10 p.m.
Governor Baker states the Travel Ban will be lifted at 12 Midnight tonight.  He also encourages not traveling after midnight or tomorrow unless you have to, to allow the cleanup to continue.

UPDATE 1/27/2015 at 12:20 p.m.
Governor Baker lifts travel ban in the four Western Mass Counties; Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire & Franklin. Travel ban continues on Mass Turnpike and remainder of the state.


Travel Ban to Go Into Effect at 12 a.m. Tuesday

Governor Baker has signed an Executive Order allowing for the enforcement of a statewide travel ban effective at midnight. State Police hope members of the public heed this order to stay off the roads until further notice. The following exceptions shall exist for the ban and all drivers are encouraged to remain safe and use their best judgment:

    -Essential emergency response professionals
    -Medical, healthcare and human service workers, including shelter personnel
    -Essential public transit and support workers
    -Public and private personnel supporting public works and utility operations
    -Essential state employees
    -Those traveling for essential medical procedures
    -Vehicles and personnel delivering essential supplies to healthcare facilities.

The travel ban will be lifted on a county by county basis as conditions allow, and exemptions to the travel ban are as follows:

    -Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel, including those providing services at correctional facilities, and private sector security personnel
    -Public works vehicles and public works personnel, including contract personnel supporting public works operations
    -Public transportation vehicles and public transportation personnel, including contract personnel supporting public transportation operations
    -Government personnel conducting official business
    -Utility company vehicles and personnel, including contract personnel supporting utility response and restoration efforts
    -Personnel directly supporting storm response operations, including but not limited to emergency shelter personnel
    -Personnel supporting human services facilities, including but not limited to residential housing programs and human services shelter operations
    -Healthcare personnel, including home healthcare personnel and personal care assistants
    -Personnel delivering or supporting services at healthcare facilities, including those that provide long term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other healthcare facilities
    -Vehicles and personnel providing critical supplies to healthcare facilities, including those that provide long term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other healthcare facilities
    -News media
    -Private sector snow removal equipment engaged in, or traveling in connection with the removal or clearance of snow and ice from public or private sector facilities
    -Patients traveling for the purpose of receiving urgent critical care, and persons traveling with those patients who are necessary to facilitate that urgent critical care
    -Travel necessary to maintain critical private sector facilities, services and operations, and to deliver or support critical private sector services and supplies in critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, fuel, financial systems, and the provision of critical commodities
    -Travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, food stores and hardware stores

Winter Weather Advisory

Massachusetts State Police Release -- 01262016 -- Winter Weather Advisory

With the potential for significant snowfall to hit parts of the state, the Massachusetts State Police remind motorists of several basic strategies to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips throughout the storm in the coming days:

• Follow us on Social Media for Updates: Follow the Massachusetts State Police on Twitter & Facebook. We post road closures and traffic advisories on Twitter frequently, @MassStatePolice. In addition, follow Colonel Timothy Alben @TimAlben, Lieutenant Daniel Richard @DGR2564, and Trooper Dustin Fitch @DustinGFitch for informative updates. We also encourage you to follow our partners, Massachusetts Department of Transportation @MassDOT and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency @MassEMA. State and some local agencies are also using the hashtag #MAsnow and #MAwx while posting weather related updates.
  
  
• Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of power outages, make sure your devices are fully charged. Download the State Police smartphone app, “Mass SP” to stay up to date from all of our digital media, including real-time alerts. You can also find links to our smartphone application here: MSPnews.org/smartphone-application/
  
  
• Take Note of the Local Forecast: The State Police encourage motorists to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions.  Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Massachusetts Highways.
  
  
• Vehicle Preparation:  With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving.  Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels.  Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.  Motorists should equip their vehicles with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets.  Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility.  Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cellular phone.
  
  
• Reduce Speed:  Anticipate delays.  Most snow- and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions.  Posted speed limits are set for driving under optimal, dry conditions.  If road and weather conditions are adverse, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.
  
  
• Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under optimal driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them.  If the road and weather conditions are adverse, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.
  
  
• Black Ice:  Transparent ice may form on the roadway.  If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.
  
  
• Buckle Up:  Ensuring everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained is the single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the roads.
  
  
• Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies:  In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cellular phones to immediately be connected to a State Police Communications Center. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.
  
  

Mass Pike Speed, Tandem/Propane Restrictions

MAtraffic Advisory:  The speed limit has been reduced on the Massachusetts Turnpike to 40 mph due to the snow storm.  There are also tandem and propane restrictions in place until further notice.

Update 2:40 p.m.
Restrictions on tandems and propane have been lifted.  Also speed limit is now 55, except for between interchanges 6-11, there it is still reduced to 40 mph.