2 charged in death of missing Portage toddler

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Jada Justice

This undated image provided by the FBI shows Jada Justice. (AP Photo/FBI)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 26, 2009 at 4:40 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 26, 2009 at 4:40 PM EST

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — Officials have identified a body found in northwest Indiana as that of a missing Portage toddler, and the child's baby sitter and her boyfriend have been charged with her murder.

Eighteen-year-old Engelica Castillo and 24-year-old Tim Tkachik, both of Hobart, were being held without bond Friday in the Lake County Jail. They are charged with murder, neglect of a dependent, battery and false informing.

Authorities did not release a cause of death for 2-year-old Jada Justice, whom Castillo reported missing June 16. The girl's body was found Thursday in rural LaPorte County.

Police and family members had cast doubt on Castillo's claim that the child had been abducted from a car while the teenager went into a convenience store in Gary.

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