Human remains found in Pace, Florida, tentatively have been identified as 11-year-old Gannon Stauch.

The remains were found Saturday by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. An autopsy was performed and results indicate the body belongs to Gannon.

“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Gannon,” the news release said.

Letecia Stauch, Gannon’s stepmother, faces charges of first-degree murder of a child under the age of 12 by a person in a position of trust, tampering with a body, tampering with evidence and child abuse resulting in death.

Gannon was reported missing Jan. 27, and authorities and volunteers spent hundreds of hours searching for him.

In the days after Gannon disappeared, his parents made a video, pleading for his return. In it, his father, Albert Stauch, spoke about his son being miracle baby after weighing only 1 pound, 6 ounces at birth.

“Even today he’s still our miracle child. He still is and he’s such a happy child and he just brings life to every party,” the father said.  “His smile, even today, is keeping us going. His infectious smile brings me joy every time I think about it.”

Gannon loved Sonic, the color blue, riding his bicycle with his sister, going outside and playing with his friends and telling corny jokes, his mother, Landen Hiott, said.