Police found the body in the woods

NEWBURGH – Police in Newburgh have found human remains of a young child and they believe they are that of Marc Bookal, the 4-year-old Newburgh boy, who disappeared last December.

Police Chief Eric Paolilli said the body was found by a State Police cadavor search team in a wooded area of the city.

The boy's mother, Christine Bookal, has been notified that the body is likely that of her son.

She told MidHudsonNews.com that police told her the body was found inside a large book bag. "It looks like one of his," she said.

For now, she said she is waiting for forensics to make a determination.

Police had planned on searching the city Wednesday now that the warmer weather has broken.

The chief said the body was found in an area that had been searched extensively, although he would not say if they believe the body had been moved there from another location.

The investigation is continuing.

The boy was reported missing on December 14, 2009, triggering a massive search of the City of Newburgh, its waterfront and the Hudson River.

Police turned up no evidence about the boy’s whereabouts.

The search was later suspended.

The boyfriend of the boy’s mother, Corey Byrd, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child because he was reported to be the last one with young Marc when he disappeared, but that charge was dropped.

He remains incarcerated on a parole violation. Mrs. Bookal said she spoke to him about two weeks ago.