He Killed Her Carlie Brucia's body found Articles / In The News Date: Feb 06, 2004 - 09:56 AM |
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Carlie Brucia's body found, murder suspect moved for security reasons SARASOTA -- The body of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia was found this morning near a chuch a few miles from where she was abducted Sunday, and authorities said they will be charging mechanic Joseph P. Smith in her murder. Officials said paperwork in the case would be filed soon. Meanwhile, they moved Smith from the Sarasota County Jail to the Manatee County Jail. For security reasons and Smith's safety, he was placed in isolation upon his arrival this morning in Manatee. "Our sympathy goes out to the entire family of Carlie," an emotional Sheriff Bill Balkwill said at a news conference this morning. At McIntosh Middle School, where Carlie was in the sixth grade, the principal said the school will be open for the community and grief counseling from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Please CLICK HERE to enter prayer Carlie's body was found between 12:45 a.m. and 1 a.m. Friday near the Central Church of Christ at 6221 Proctor Road, not far from Evie's Car Wash on Bee Ridge Road, where she was abducted. This morning, crime scene technicians dressed in white coveralls pulled the body from under some think underbrush near the church parking lot. The covered body was placed on a stretcher and taken away by a white van. Investigators have not said how they believe she died. Friends of the family gathered Friday outside the Central Church of Christ, which is near a hay field and some woods. The church was surrounded by yellow crime scene tape Friday and about a dozen detectives walked in a line across the field in an evidence sweep. Investigators found the body after negotiations with Smith, a source said on condition of anonymity.The family was notified this morning. Detectives were planning to continue forensics and investigative work today to build a case against Smith, who is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bail. Authorities said Smith would be charged with kidnapping and murder. "We now stand ready to complete our obligation, and assure you that he will pay the ultimate price for what he did to her," Capt. Jeff Bell said. Carlie's father, Joe Brucia, somberly thanked law enforcement and the community's efforts in the case. "I just want to thank all the people behind me ... in their efforts to find my daughter and the community that was so involved," Brucia said. "I just want to thank everybody for all they've done." Family and friends had kept vigil outside Carlie's ranch-style house, which was decorated with banners and posters reading, "We love you, Carlie." Friends described Carlie as a beautiful girl who loved actress Jennifer Lopez, going to the mall and hanging out. The youngster was known for greeting friends with warm hugs. She was heading home from a slumber party when she was abducted. She had a cat named Charlie. Carlie's friend Natalie Thomas cried after hearing that her classmate's body was found. She remembered Carlie's smile and that she liked to go on walks. "There's nothing you can do to make anybody feel better and it's going to hurt for a long, long time," said Chuck Chambers, a private investigator who was working with Carlie's family. Smith has been held without bail since Tuesday on an alleged probation violation stemming from a cocaine possession conviction. Smith has been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, according to state records. He was arrested in 1997 in Manatee County on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later. He served 17 months in state prison for heroin possession and prescription drug fraud and was released on New Year's Day 2003. He was arrested eight days later on a cocaine possession charge and was placed on probation for three years. He also was placed on probation for aggravated battery in 1993 and heroin charges in 1999. Carlie had been missing since Sunday, when she was grabbed by a man as she walked home near Evie's Car Wash. The abduction was captured by a surveillance camera, bringing the case international attention. |
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