Families of missing persons wait for ID on remains

Families of missing persons wait for ID on human remains
Families wait for ID of remains  

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg police still don't have a positive identification on the human bones recovered last week in southwest Charlotte. That's keeping several area families in a state of suspense.

"I love my son. I want answers," said Patricia Baker.

The Bakers' son, Travis, vanished from Catawba County on April 16, 2007. He was 19 years old.

"It's a waiting game," said father Dwayne Baker about not knowing the identity of the human skull and other bones found on Christmas Eve. "You want to know and you don't."

Travis Baker fits the parameters given by the medical examiner for the human remains, likely a white male between the ages 18 to 30.

The victim in this case was killed sometime between one and five years ago.

Police already ruled out the high profile disappearance of Kyle Fleishman. The problem, however, is that about 30 missing person cases in the Charlotte area still fit the profile.

"That's a lot. I know I'm not the only one going through it," said Dwayne Baker. "Everybody who has a missing loved one goes through the emotions I go through."

For the Bakers, not knowing the truth seems as difficult as continuing to wait.

"That's the hope that you hold on to that he may be found alive," added the missing man’s father. "(Then) there's your closure but yet you don't want to know that your loved one could be gone."

Police have said they won’t contact any family until they make a positive ID of the remains.