The Walker County Sheriff's Office and the GBI are investigating the death of a eight-year-old boy in the 100 block of Old Grand Center Road, Chickamauga, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said.
Walker County dispatch received a 911 call about 8 p.m. Thursday reporting the discovery of the deceased child. The child was found in a wooded area approximately 50 yards behind the residence by an adult.
Sheriff Wilson said it was later learned that the second grader had left school early Thursday due to being sick.
He was picked up at Chattanooga Valley Elementary School by his mother around 10 a.m. Sheriff Wilson said that may be a factor in the death.
He was found behind a barn by his mother's boyfriend.
Detectives and GBI agents have been on the scene Thursday night and Friday morning processing the area where the child was found.
Detectives and agents have been working through the early morning interviewing the adults and children who lived at or were connected to the deceased child's residence.
The child's body will be transported to the GBI crime lab in Decatur, Ga.,. for an autopsy.
The autopsy results remain pending and the cause and manner of death will not be released on Friday.
Testing is still in progress by the medical examiner and his staff.
A report of the medical examiner findings are projected for 4-6 weeks from today.