A prosecutor said investigators believe 21-month-old Maddox Lawrence was killed by her father in Cortland County.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick told WTVH-TV in Syracuse that Ryan Lawrence likely killed his daughter in a remote area known as Labrador Hollow.

A source told syracuse.com that Lawrence told police he partially burned the girl's body before driving the remains to Syracuse and then hiding them in a creek.

The 24-year-old Lawrence has been charged with second-degree murder. Police found him in Baldwinsville on Monday after someone who recognized him alerted authorities.

Investigators have not discussed the cause of the toddler's death.

An Amber Alert was issued for Maddox on Sunday after Lawrence left a message indicating he intended to harm himself and possibly the child.

Lawrence pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned in Syracuse City Court Wednesday morning.

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