Police: Dental Records Link Bones To Missing Boy

INDIANAPOLIS -- Benton County Undersheriff Derek Hagan confirmed to RTV6 Friday that dental records show that bones found in an Illinois field last week belong to Nicolas Zavala, 12.

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Indiana State Police Still Awaiting DNA Test Results

Zavala (pictured, left) was living with his grandmother in Indiana's Benton County before he was reported missing in August.

A farmer found a skull and other bones April 18 near Stockland, Ill., about 5 miles from the border with Indiana, RTV6 reported.

Illinois authorities said Zavala's dental records match him with the bones. However, the Indiana State Police said they will wait for results of DNA tests before beginning a death investigation.

The DNA test results weren't expected until next week.

Nicolas' grandmother, Margaret Williams (pictured, right), reported him missing nine days after she said she dropped him off at a library, where he was to meet with two friends and their uncle to leave for a camping trip.

Last month, police said blood that was found at Williams' Benton County house is that of her grandson. The boy had been living with Williams for a few months at the time of his disappearance, police said.

Williams told investigators she didn't know the names, addresses, or phone numbers of the people who were to take him on the camping trip. Investigators also have not been able to identify them, having checked with local schools.

Williams was charged in October with neglect. Authorities contend Williams should have known the people she claims took Nicolas on the camping trip, and where the camping trip was supposed to be.

Williams, who is free on bail, was scheduled to go on trial on the neglect charge this month, but it has been delayed.