GRPD, FBI search landfill for Jozlynn

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Grand Rapids Police Department and FBI searched through 51 tons of garbage at a landfill for the body of a 2-year-old girl until it got dark Monday.

These investigators will return Tuesday to continue the search.

"In trying to do everything possible, this is really one thing that we needed to do," GRPD Lt. Ralph Mason said.

Jeffrey Malmberg has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence for tossing Jozlynn Martinez' body in a Dumpster and larceny for stealing $2,800 from the girl's mother.

A garbage company called police to come search the South Kent Landfill, 300 100th St. in Byron Center. Detectives, an anthropologist and other experts arrived Monday. About 20 investigators wearing protective clothing looked through a specific area of the property.

The process is complicated due to the condition of the garbage.

"Unfortunately, the items that are out here have been compacted," Mason said.

There are many materials in the trash that aren't intended to be sifted through.

"It's a very hazardous operation," Mason said. "The bottom line is, we need to do everything we can to find her."

Several of the people out searching for Jozlynn's body are high-ranking officers who don't have to be on scene, Mason told 24 Hour News 8. They are there because they chose to be part of the effort.

"We're gonna try everything we can to find this little girl and that's why we're out here," GRPD Capt. Jeff Hertel said. "It's not frustrating. We're out here to do the job and try to find her."

With the help of the management at the South Kent landfill, investigators were able to narrow down a search area that's about 50 yards long and 15 feet deep. They think they're in the right area.

"We are hitting stuff, you know, from the west side mailing addresses and the newspapers in that period of time," Hertel said. "We're in it.

"It's a massive, massive undertaking."

Grand Rapids police detectives said Malmberg admitted to them he knelt on Jozlynn's chest until she stopped breathing, then placed her body in a trash bag and carried her two blocks to a commercial Dumpster.

He told them it happened Feb. 22, at the girl's home in Grand Rapids. Malmberg said police have the story wrong, though he refused to go into details. He previously told Jozlynn's mother that the girl accidentally fell down the stairs.

"It was an accident," he told 24 Hour News 8 from his jail cell.