What to Know Neighbors who heard a crying 3-year-old child went to find out what was wrong and found the toddler's 23-year-old mother dead nearby

Law enforcement sources say police are investigating the case as a possible homicide

Chopper 4 showed a heavy emergency presence, with at least four marked police cars and a number of unmarked police cars at the scene

Neighbors responding to the cries of a 3-year-old child on the basement steps of a two-story home in Brooklyn encountered a grisly scene -- the toddler's 22-year-old mother dead on the stairs nearby, according to law enforcement sources.



The woman, identified as Tonie Wells, was found dead on the steps of her own Sterling Place home in Crown Heights shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, the sources tell News 4.

She had bruising to the neck, and it appears she may have been pushed down the stairs, police said at a news briefing. Her death is being investigated as a possible homicide, the sources said.

The little girl was not hurt.

Police said there is a person of interest, though they haven't identified the person, and are looking for him.



Chopper 4 over the scene showed a heavy emergency presence, with at least four marked police cars and a number of unmarked police cars in the area, which was roped off with yellow tape.

Wells' Facebook page shows she married her on-and-off boyfriend in the spring but the nature of their current relationship was unclear.

The investigation is ongoing, but police sources said investigators were looking to speak to Wells' husband in the case.