OIL CITY, Pa. (KDKA) — Tragedy struck in a quiet neighborhood in Oil City, Pennsylvania, as authorities discovered the lifeless body of a young boy, cruelly stuffed inside a bag within a local residence.

The Venango County Police Department reported that the boy had been reported missing by his mother. It was revealed that the child had been in the care of the mother’s boyfriend, identified as 24-year-old Trevaughn Lee Stribling-Jackson.

According to police, when the mother inquired about the child’s whereabouts, Stribling-Jackson claimed that the boy was with his cousin in the nearby Erie area.

However, the mother grew suspicious when she noticed Stribling-Jackson doing laundry, as it was not a typical task for him. Her concerns intensified when she discovered a tan air mattress bag missing and observed blood stains on a box-spring beneath the mattress.

Responding to the mother’s distress, law enforcement officials obtained a search warrant for Stribling-Jackson’s residence. Tragically, their search yielded the discovery of the missing boy’s lifeless body inside a bag.

Investigators revealed that the boy had suffered severe injuries to his head and face, along with a suspected burn to his groin area.

During questioning, Stribling-Jackson denied any knowledge of the child’s whereabouts or any involvement in his death. He also refuted the claim that he had sent the boy to Erie, although he acknowledged having family connections in the area.

Stribling-Jackson now faces serious charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and abuse of a corpse.

At present, bail has been denied for Stribling-Jackson, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for early January.