Thread: Body of Missing Girl Found; Man Arrested

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Body of Missing Girl Found; Man Arrested
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SARASOTA, Fla. - The body of an 11-year-old girl whose abduction was captured by a surveillance camera has been found and a mechanic has been charged with her murder, officials said Friday.

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill refused to say where Carlie Brucia was found, saying it is an active crime scene.


He said Joseph P. Smith, 37, has been charged with her murder. He is believed to be the tattooed man in a mechanic's shirt who was seen in a car wash surveillance video leading Carlie away by the arm Sunday evening, authorities said.


He has been held without bail since Tuesday on an alleged probation violation.


Family and friends had kept vigil outside Carlie's ranch-style house, which was decorated with banners and posters reading, "We love you, Carlie."


"I need my daughter home," Carlie's mother, Susan Schorpen, had said Thursday. "She's a very, very important part of this family and community."


Members of her former Girl Scout troop took a day off from school Wednesday to pass out fliers at shopping centers, canvass neighborhoods and distribute pink ribbons adorned with Carlie's name.


Family friend Chessie Huber described Carlie as a beautiful girl who loved actress Jennifer Lopez, going to the mall and hanging out with her friends. The blond, blue-eyed youngster had a cat named Charlie and was known for greeting friends with warm hugs.


A reward fund of $50,000 was offered for information.


Smith has been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, according to state records and convicted of drug possession and other charges. He was arrested in 1997 in Manatee County on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later.


An aide to Smith's public defender, Adam Tebrugge, had declined to comment Thursday.


Carlie was walking home from a friend's house at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday when she took a short cut behind Evie's Car Wash, which was closed for the day.


Car wash owner Mike Evanoff said he checked the security system video Monday after bloodhounds led deputies to the business. The images of Carlie popped up almost immediately when he turned on the system, he said.


"It was cold chills right up my back," Evanoff said earlier this week. "My manager couldn't even look at it. It's an awful feeling."


May she rest in peace and her killer burn in hell.

I just cried and cried

I prayed so hard that this wouldn't happen especially since he was caught on tape My hear goes out to the parents and family.

How very sad. I hope that rotten SOB is put to death for this. I can't imagine seeing my child's last few minutes of life on a video camera,being abducted by some evil,sick pervert.That is so horrible!!!!
Edited to say that they found her body in a church parking lot,he finally told them where to look.What a sicko!

This just breaks my heart.

so sad I was so hoping she would be found alive....Can`t turn you back for one second when you have kids...

I saw that first thing when I woke up. I thought they would find her alive. He needs to rot in prison... and let the other prisoners have a turn on him. They do not think highly of child molesters. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RR
Or should they just electrocute him? I think that's too fast.

I just saw this a bit ago, noticed the headline and my heart just sunk and the tears started flowing. I was so hopeful that they would find her alive. It brings back the horrible memories of a little girl that was kidnapped and murdered in KC a few years ago. Ugh and from the sounds of his background and other offenses he shouldn't have been on the streets! My thoughts and prayers are with her family and my heart breaks for them.

Just saw the video tape on the news. I wonder what he told her to make her not try and yank away from him. I really hate to say it, but stuff like this really makes me doubt my beliefs. I really feel for this mother, I was crying hearing her plea yesterday, My son is just turned 12. I cant imagaine what she is going through right now. This A-@ NEEDS TO BE PUT AWAY FOREVER AND NEVER LET OUT TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY

Prayers going out to the family .