GERMANTOWN, Md. — Montgomery County Police detectives are investigating the death of a teenager, whose body was found Monday around 3 p.m. near a community of homes in the 18900 block of Grotto Lane in Germantown.
The Major Crimes Division is currently investigating his death as a homicide.
Montgomery County Public Schools confirmed the 17-year-old victim is Jailyn Jones who was a 12th grader at Northwest High School.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Jones had gone missing on January 7, 2022.
Jones' mother was with police Tuesday evening in a wooded area behind the address police said the teenage boy was found a day prior.
“I don’t want my baby’s life to be marred with hate," Alexis McDaniel said. "Because I taught him to love everybody. I just want to say whoever did it please come forward or if you know something just please call the detectives and let us know something.”
McDaniel said she is heartbroken, and had previously pleaded for the school system to help her child, who she said had been a victim of bullying.
“I asked for help I did," McDaniel said. "I asked the school board to put an end to the bullying, the zero-tolerance with the bullying."
"I asked them to change curriculums for some of the programs that we have for troubled children in this community. I also asked that my child not be sent back to public school because I knew my child. I asked that my child stay in a program where he will be safe but the school board, the Montgomery County School Board, said they thought it was better for my child to go to a public school where I knew my child would have problems and now my child is dead. Thanks, Montgomery County board of education.”
A spokesperson for MCPS said privacy rules governing students prohibit them from answering specific questions relating to students, however, said Northwest High School and all of MCPS are deeply saddened by this news.
“It’s sad that I had to lose a child and I hope that his life will not be in vain. I hope that we can do something about it. I’m heartbroken," McDaniel said.
Northwest High School sent a letter to families Tuesday informing them of 12th grader Jones’ death and offered counseling and psychologist support.
"For those of you who knew Jailyn, we ask that you remember and celebrate his life. He had a large personality, infectious smile, and overall amazing spirit," the letter signed by Principal Scott Smith said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine how the teen died. The Major Crimes Division is currently investigating his death as a homicide.
“Whoever did this, you hurt us really bad and I know you didn’t mean to do it but just come forward," McDaniel said. "Tell us what happened so we can get you some help. And to all the officials we need to do something. It can’t continue to go on like this. The violence in this county is outrageous and it’s only growing. it’s getting ridiculous out here.”
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the homicide suspect(s). Callers can remain anonymous.