My heart breaks as I write this article. It is something I wasn’t exactly prepared for when I received notice about this precious 4 year old child’s remains being found. Marc had a smile on his face that is unforgettable. But now this precious child is gone. America has lost yet another innocent child. Newburgh New York has one less child living there.
I wrote about Marc Anthony Bookal’s disappearance on December 15th, 2009. He was left in the care of his mother’s boyfriend, Cory Byrd. The claim is that Byrd was getting ready to take M arc to a relative’s house but the front door was somehow left home and Byrd claims Marc must have walked out the door and he hasn’t been seen since.
Although police claim Byrd is not listed as a person of interest in Marc’s disappearance, they have charged him with endangering the welfare of a child. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office later decided to drop the child endangerment charges and by doing so it meant they didn’t have to reveal evidence obtained from different search warrants that could be used later if they decide to file more serious charges.
Byrd is now serving a 15 month sentence at the Downstate Correctional Facility for his parole violation.
30 year old Byrd was once arrested back in 1998 after his biological son had been admitted into the hospital with a fractured skull, broken ribs, a broken wrist and perforated liver but the man was only arrested for and charged with reckless endangerment in that case.
Marc reportedly had suffered from burns himself on his hands which his mother, Christina Bookal explained was the result from an accident but apparently some are very skeptical about that especially now.
According to the City of Newburgh Police, they are sure that the human remains found are indeed that of little Marc Anthony Bookal. During a news conference held at 5 p today it was stated that the boy’s body was found by a Sate Police cadaver search team about 11 am this morning in a wooded area off Colden Street between Renwick Street and South William Street.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday by Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.
I am sure that this has been really hard on Marc’s parents. Christina Bookal told CBS2 that she refused to give up hope. She was even keeping his Christmas gifts under the tree that she was refusing to take down. “Until he comes home, it will stay up,†she said. Christina has three other kids too that needs her to be there for them too but she says it is hard when one is gone, it’s not complete. I know she is suffering but one has to ask why would this mother leave her child with a man that she knew had harmed his own baby when that child was only one year old and she still defends him. I just don’t understand this.
My prayers are with Marc’s family tonight and with Marc as well. I also pray that the monster that did this to this precious child is caught and punished to the full extent of the law and some. We all want the lost children found. Thinking of Haleigh Cummings and Adji Desir and all the other ones that are no where to be found, makes the tears water my eyes. Please God bring these children home!
Jan Barrett
Update: According to HLN’s Nancy Grace Marc was found inside a duffel bag only 2 blocks from his home. Nancy also says it was just announced that Cory Byrd has now been named as a possible person of interest. I will keep you up to date as I get the information.
24 users commented in " Marc Anthony Bookal’s Body Found "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThis is so sad. I am so tired of reading about mothers who protect and defend husbands and boyfriends who hurt their children. WOMEN WAKE UP NO ONE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR CHILD…JMO
I had prayed that marc anthony was alive. There was something down in me that even wished someone who just really wanted a child had stolen him because they couldn’t have children of their own. And although I don’t advocate or even wish any child missing regardless of the kidnap pers selfish ways of wanting to love I thought that would be better than him being hurt/killed,
Thus world has gone nuts in all its magnificence and hellish ways we’re all on a downward spiral straight into hells open arm. We have become so wrapped up in cruelty that we won’t even protect the innocent our children. They are suffering because we can’t seem to find compassion in our souls, genuine concern for our babies.
RIP Marc Anthony Bookal.
baby halo (((:-(
Rest in peace little guy. So very sad.
WHY DOES CPS CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK THE CHILDREN OF THESE MOTHERS WHO, OBVIOUSLY ARE SO OBSESSED WITH A “MAN”(POS),THAT THEY SHACK UP WITH AN ABUSER-LOSER!THIS PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A MOTHER DOES NOT DESERVE TO HAVE ANY CHILD/CHILDREN!SHAME ON CPS!GIVE HER A YEAR ,TO FIND A NEW ABUSER WHO ACCIDENTALLY BREAKS HER CHILDS BONES SAVING HIM–GIVE ME A BREAK! WE’LL SOON BE HEARING ABOUT CPS AND HOW THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN CUSTODY BACK TO HER,BECAUSE THE OTHER ONE WILL BE DEAD SOON–WATCH,.WAIT AND SEE!CHRISTINA SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN ACADEMIC EDUCATION,INSTEAD OF A SEXUAL EDUCATION–THERE WOULD BE ONE LESS MURDERED CHILD!MAY SHE NEVER FORGET OR REST!SHE DESERVES TO ROT IN HELL!SHE NEEDED TO GET A BRAIN BECAUSE SHE OBVIOUSLY IS SO STUPID!SCUMBAG!CPS YOU ARE MORONS LIKE HER AND EVEN MORE STUPID. CHRISTINA IF YOU ARE CRYING,GOOD-IT IS YOUR FAULT MARC IS DEAD–CARRY THAT WITH YOU ,YOU PATHETIC UGLY WENCH!GET A LIFE LOSER!GET OFF THE WELFARE AND GROW UP!GET A REAL MAN!OH,YEAH,YOU HAVE TO BE A REAL WOMAN TO DO THAT-SORRY!MAY YOUR OTHER SON GROW TO RESENT AND HATE YOU AND UNDERSTAND IT WAS YOU-YOU WHO CAUSED HIS INJURIES AND HIS BROTHER’S DEATH!CHEW ON THAT DUMBA%^!
Marc Bookal will never no pain again but I hope the garbage that killed him feels pain for the rest of his days. Flip the switch on these murderers..and not after 15 years..NOW!
Momma should be locked up and charged as an accessory to murder. If they start charging these women too maybe they will think twice about leaving their children with these POS men.
I decided to look on the google map to find the area where Jan mentioned as to where this poor little guy was found and in between the area described and the water is a facility with some kind of pits there. What is this place if anyone may know? Thank you in advance to whomever might be able to figure that out.
The death penalty seems to good for the monster who took this beautiful and innocent little boys life.
jmvho
Thanks for this story Jan; how very said this was. I am curious how they missed this big ol duffle bag when they did the ground searches for little Marc earlier. I hope this man pays dearly for what he did to this adorable little child! I still cannot understand what makes someone hurt these innocent children the way they do. It is so heartbreaking. Thank you so much for keeping us informed and for all that you do for these chidren! You are very special! I don’t know how you do this! God Bless You!
Jan;
I also thank you for this article. As you may remember, Marc has been in my heart since he went missing. I had just searched for recent info on him just yesterday. I had feared him to be deceased all this time but am glad to have confirmation & some part of closure about it.
I too think his mother needs to be charged as an accessory TO the fact. She knew what Cory was up to and if she didn’t SHE SHOULD HAVE! I am all for petitioning the local PD to include her as a partner in the crime.
I am interested to know the circumstances surrounding his death, cause etc. I hope Cory Byrd FRIES!!!
Its heartbreaking to have to write condolences, once again, to another beautiful child’s family for their loss. May God step in and stop the carnage against children. Its obvious that we can not do it alone. Many prayers to you, little Marc, and all of the other lost children of the world.
Now is the time for Christina Bookal to turn her grief into action so that little Marc’s death is not in vain. Christina can possibly save lives of other children whose mothers fall in love with violent, dangerous men and turn a blind eye to abuse of their own children. Cory Byrd had a long history of violence, including an assault on another one of Christina’s children as well as his own biological child.
It’s unbelievable that women are so desperate for a man that they would betray their own children to hold on to that man. Wake up, Christina, and take a stand, tell the truth, accept your part in this tragedy and become a voice that will help save the lives of other children in danger of being hurt or murdered by a mother’s boyfriend.
Do what you can to make sure that Cory Byrd spend the rest of his life behind bars where he belongs. God will bless you and perhaps you will find peace of mind knowing that you did the right thing…
News just in – Christina Bookal has stated to MidHudsonNews that police told her the body was found inside a large book bag and ”It looks like one of his,”.
from http://mccannexposure.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/marc-bookal-4-remains-found/
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100325/NEWS/3250340/-1/COMM0410
Bookal boy’s grandparents hoping for answers
By Adam Bosch
Times Herald-Record
Posted: March 25, 2010 – 2:00 AM
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100325/NEWS/3250341
Newburgh police Chief Eric Paolilli said at a news conference that cops believe the child’s body was “purposely concealed” but declined give any more details.
Paolilli said they had previously covered the area where they found the remains but the bitter cold weather may have prevented the dogs from picking up the child’s scent.
“Whoever did this,” Bookal said, “God help them.”
She didn’t want to say whether she thought Byrd was responsible for Marc’s death. She said people twist her words and criticize her. She had a message for parents.
“Some people take their kid’s life for granted,” she said. “It can happen to anyone.”
Paolilli said Wednesday the investigation will continue.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100325/MEDIA0201/100329852/0/MEDIA02
Video from scene of found remains.
near the corner of Renwick and Colden streets.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2009/12/15/ng.ny.boy.goes.missing.cnn
Grace: “Somebody led them to that spot, there is no dumb luck”
I stopped watching after NG started Harping….
I hope they handle Cory Byrds ass in prison!! As for dear mommy,well i am very sorry for her lost but our children are here to protect and we only have one chance.Theres no perfect parent but theres no room for errors like hers.If he harmed any child his or not then hes a beast who should be shot and die a slow death.
Well at least some closure for his family who I imagine must be devastated to learn what was probably feared all along. I have followed this story since first learning of the boy’s disappearance and wished the best but somehow felt that this would somehow be the awful finality. I only pray for the family strength and unity going forward and that Christina Bookal gain or have gained some much needed wisdom. Little Marc’s death was apparently inevitable once you review all that has been made known to the public regarding their abusive home. I feel so bad that this young child had to suffer such a gruesome death and then to add insult to injury his decomposing body just left there. Whoever is responsible is an evil individual who definately needs help that I dont believe anyone on this earth could provide them with. My heart and prayers go out to the Bookal family and to the men and women who diligently searched and found this innocent child.
I was looking back at comments from earlier articles about Marc as written by Jan. I had posted some links to information & videos and I found this. It is in regard to the location of the remains found.
Hollys Gmom said,in December 17th, 2009 at 3:45 am http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091217/NEWS/912170335/-1/rss01
“Wednesday’s search focused on the areas immediately north and south of the city’s sewage treatment plant and along the railroad tracks. A state police dive team slid into the frigid Hudson River.”
“Relatives and friends of Marc’s family watched the waterfront search from the FOOT OF RENWICK STREET (South Renwick). They said they were told bloodhounds were following a trail developed the night before.”
Bold By ME.
So there was a trail to that location, just not a hit on the actual remains.
Marc Anthony was last seen wearing a red, long sleeved shirt with white Nike uptown sneakers and gray Rocawear sweatpants.
I can’t remember who said it but they were right! Brian Ladd nailed it. He even named the street. Renwick. He also had posted a google map of South Renwick to the river saying this was the area to look. If you look in google maps the area where his remains were located is a small cluster of trees between a road a the waterfront. There wouldn’t be a lot of foot traffic there. ALso densly wooded with many broken branches on the ground.
Wednesday’s search focused on the areas immediately north and south of the city’s sewage treatment plant and along the railroad tracks. A state police dive team slid into the frigid Hudson River.
Relatives and friends of Marc’s family watched the waterfront search from the foot of Renwick Street. They said they were told bloodhounds were following a trail developed the night before.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091217/NEWS/912170335/-1/rss01
RIP little guy,i am so heartboken that another little one is gone,when is this madness going to stop,I think the laws need to change when it comes to children,if the goverment can spend billions of dollars to see if there is water on the moon,which i don’t see how that helps us,why can’t they spend that money on coming up with ideals how to save our children from insane people
Good call there flowerchild.
I can’t believe that a mother can be that hungry for a man that she would let him beat/kill her children. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure it out the Cory beat the younger child up and killed Marc. I hope He gets what he deserves. God will punish him.
The mother needs to wake up.
She can buy a man in a box and that one wont beat her kids
I’m just so sick of this…who does this? who? who throws away a baby like some piece of trash? Who!!!!! I’m so tired, so tired of these babies dying!!! for what? over what? my gosh he was 4, he IS beautiful, what in the world could he have done so wrong? WHAT? Ask for a cookie? ask to go outside, turn the t.v. on…what!!!! WTF!!! Kill a child be killed nuff said
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