'Yes, Scarlett, there is a Santa Claus,' police conclude in DNA case

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WJAR) — Police in Rhode Island formally released their findings Wednesday in an investigation looking to confirm the existence of Santa Claus and his reindeer.

A 10-year-old Cumberland girl requested DNA tests on a half-eaten cookie and carrots that she found on Christmas morning.

The story caught national attention.

Scarlett Doumato and her family, as well as the mayor and several investigators, were in attendance at a news conference, where the findings were presented.

Police Chief Matthew Benson had a Power Point presentation set up to explain their investigation to Scarlett.

The presentation included how DNA testing works, how investigators reached out to the North Pole, Alaska, and all the ways they questioned the person of interest, who appeared to be a heavy set man with a red suit and white beard.

Their conclusion?

In our estimation, and to quote Francis P. Church, 'Yes, Scarlett, there is a Santa Claus,'" Benson said. "Most importantly, however, is that you achieved exactly what Santa Claus represents. You brought a smile to millions -- and I mean millions -- with your small gesture of human innocence and wonder."

Scarlett received some great gifts, including a jacket, an investigation kit, police badges and much more. She also got a tour of the police department with the chief.

The Rhode Island Department of Health previously said the DNA was not a match for anyone in the Combined DNA Index System -- CODIS, for short -- which is used for identifications in cold cases.

"Interestingly, there was a partial match to a 1947 case centered around the 34th Street in New York City," the department said, tongue-in-cheek, in a release.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: WJAR's Molly Levine contributed to this story.