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Children find human skull in woods near Lakeland; Judd IDs woman in 70s

Human remains believed to be woman in 70s
Grady Judd press conference
Human bones found near Lakeland; death investigation underway: PCSO
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LAKELAND, Fla. — UPDATE: Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the public in another press release just before 5 p.m. Friday.

Judd and PCSO identified the skull in the woods as a woman in her 70s.

Watch report from Rebecca Petit

Human remains believed to be woman in 70s

The rest of her bodily remains were also discovered off of her property.

Judd said that significant wildlife is present in the area, and there are no signs of anything "overtly suspicious."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is conducting a death investigation after human bones were found near Lakeland on Thursday.

PCSO deputies said they were dispatched to a wooded area near Fish Hatchery Road and Morgan Combee Road shortly before 8 p.m. on May 28.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said five children playing in the woods found a skull and told a parent. The parent contacted law enforcement.

Judd said the remains have not been in the area for very long and investigators are hoping the public will come forward with more information.

Watch full press conference with Sheriff Judd

Grady Judd press conference

"It is important for the community to get on board. If you have an aunt or an uncle or a person that strays and I haven't seen him in a while and I don't know what happened...let us know," Judd said.

He also said the initial findings did not show the remains connected to notable missing person cases of Tonya WhippEthan Fussell, and Savannah Mahoney.

This is a developing story. Tampa Bay 28 will provide more details as they become available.

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