Mother of Missing Toddler Found Dead

LEESBURG, FL (AP) -- A woman whose 2-year-old son has been missing for nearly two weeks has committed suicide, police said.

Melinda Duckett, 21, was found Friday in her grandparents' home in The Villages, dead from a gunshot would that appeared self inflicted, Leesburg Police Capt. Steve Rockefeller said.

Trenton Duckett disappeared from his bedroom at a Leesburg apartment complex where he lived with his mother. Police say they think he was pulled through a hole cut in a window screen. He was reported missing Aug. 27, and police were still searching for him.

Police have not said whether Melinda Duckett left a suicide note. Rockefeller said there were no imminent arrests in the case.

"We're getting bits and pieces," said Don Jordan, Trenton's great-uncle, who lives in Plant City. "Until they (the police) track more down or get anything, we're just fearing for the worst."

Melinda Duckett had refused to take a polygraph test, Police Capt. Ginny Padgett said. He would not say whether she was considered a suspect in the boy's disappearance.

However, Kimberly Schulte, Melinda Duckett's family-law attorney, said the woman did not refuse to take the polygraph test after Trenton's disappearance, but was instead advised not to take it.

"I answered for her because polygraphs are not admissible in evidence," Schulte said.

Trenton's father, Joshua Duckett, took a polygraph test within 24 hours after police were called and investigators were "satisfied with his responses."

Melinda Duckett filed for divorce from Joshua Duckett on June 14, and the two were fighting for custody of Trenton. Police are trying to piece together Melinda and Trenton Duckett's whereabouts on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27, and anyone who saw the pair is being asked to report it to the FBI.

Related article: