WILLIAMSTON, Mich. (WILX) - It began as the case of a runaway child, but police soon uncovered the gruesome truth that 7-year-old Ricky Holland was murdered by his foster mother.

Ricky’s disappearance rocked the Mid-Michigan community. Neighbors, strangers and law enforcement searched high and low for the little boy, who everyone saw, but no one really knew.

“We had canines, and we had horses, and we had dive teams, and we had a tremendous support from the community,” said retired Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jason Ferguson.

On the morning of July 2, 2005, Ricky was reported missing by his foster parents Tim and Lisa Holland.

Tim told police he believed his son had run away from the Holland’s Williamston home; it’s something he’d done many times before.

But Ferguson sai

See Full Page