June 24, 2023 - San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Sunday, October 27, 1991, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a hunter was quail hunting in a rural area of Mentone and located a human skull, without teeth and mandible. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail was contacted and assumed the investigation. 

A search of the area was conducted for more human remains, but none were located. A torn plastic trash bag with decomposition odor and child’s clothing was located and kept for evidence. The remains could not be identified, and no further leads were discovered at the time. 

On Thursday, November 7, 1991, an autopsy was performed, and the coroner determined the human skull belonged to a child between 4 and 8 years old. The cause of death was undetermined. No other leads were available, and the case went cold. 

In the Fall of 2022, DNA from the human remains was sent to the DNA sequencing and genomics laboratory, Othram Inc., for genealogy investigation in hopes to identify the decedent. In February of 2023, Othram revealed distant genetic relatives to the decedent located in Houston, TX. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail contacted the genetic relatives and received consent for their DNA for further testing. 

With the assistance of the Riverside, CA and Houston, TX FBI offices, Patricia Clark was identified as the decedent’s mother. Clark was contacted and it was discovered Clark reported her child missing to the San Bernardino Police Department in 1991. However, the child was never located. Clark’s DNA was obtained and sent to FTDNA which revealed Clark was a 100% parental match to the human remains of the child Doe, now known to be Derrick Burton. Sheriff’s Homicide will further the investigation.  

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Edward Hernandez, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail, Cold Case Team, at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.  

DATE/TIME: Sunday, October 27, 1991, 3:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: Death Investigation

LOCATION: Florida Street & Greenspot Road, Mentone

DECEDENT: Derrick Burton, DOB: August 9, 1987  

Refer: Detective Edward Hernandez or Sergeant Justin Giles

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail

Phone No. (909) 890-4904

Case No. DR#049100271   H#1991-120

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department