Skeletal remains found on March 8 have been positively identified as 10-year-old Jesse Wilson, who went missing in July 2016.
In a statement, authorities from the Buckeye Police Department in Arizona said that the young boy's remains were found by a city worker in a farm field near State Route 85 and Broadway Road, according to ABC 15.
The Buckeye Police Department wrote on Facebook, "It is with great sadness that we are here today to announce that we have identified the remains as those of Jesse Wilson. Like so many of you across our community, we are devastated by this news."
"While this is not the outcome for which any of us had hoped, we want to stress that this is not the end of our investigation. The Buckeye Police Department, along with our state and federal partners, will continue to pursue this investigation until its conclusion. We believe this case will be resolved as Jesse deserves nothing less."
The young boy first went missing the morning of July 18, 2016, after slipping out of the family's home.
Police suspect the remains were under water at some point in time. Authorities believe "[this] is why they weren't located when crews first searched the area with cadaver dogs."
Police Received Tips Alleging Wilson's Mother Abused Her Children in 2011
In 2011, the Avondale Police received tips that alleged Wilson's mother, Crystal, was allegedly abusing her five adopted children, according to an article last year by ABC 15. The outlet writes, "When officers arrived at the home they found two of the children, both boys around 4 years old, tied to their beds with some type of harness, documents said."
A police report obtained by ABC 15 states that Crystal told officers she did this to the boys because they would leave in the middle of the night and return in early morning hours.
Jesse was said to be a "bright, energetic, and caring young man who was well-liked by his friends and teachers."