Body of Missing Girl Found; Man Arrested

AP ^ | 2/6/04 | Mitch Stacy

[apackof2]

SARASOTA, Fla. - The body of an 11-year-old girl whose abduction was captured by a surveillance camera has been found in a church parking lot and a mechanic has been charged with her murder, officials said Friday.

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill refused to say where Carlie Brucia's body was found, but a law enforcement source close to the investigation said it was found between 12:45 a.m. and 1 a.m. Friday outside a church not far from the car wash where she was taken.

"Our prayers on behalf of everybody here in Sarasota County go out to the family," Balkwill said.

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.

Investigators found the body after negotiations with Smith, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Earlier, authorities had said he was not cooperating.

"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.

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

Carlie was described by friends 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.

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.

Carlie's family had gone into seclusion Friday and was unavailable for comment.

"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 the family.

"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.

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."

FOR DISCUSSION ONLY

[PISANO]

I don't know why the drug charges are being highlighted by the press..

It is the leftists attempt to hold blameless all predators from their actions. Exactly like trying to blame the GUN for murder, the SUV for the vehicle accident or the DRUGS for this crime. In other words it is an EXCUSE.

[doodad]

He was acquitted of kidnapping charges in 1998

But plead no contest in a second assault and did time IIRC. In this assault he hit a woman in the face with a helmet and tried to pull her into some woods when a deputy spotted the commotion. He was found later by police and identified by the victim.

[Prince Charles]

We need to know the name of this judge. Anyone got a photo as well?

[ladylib]

Nail his nuts to the wall and give him a rusty razor blade; ditto the judge.

[Theo]

I had been encouraging "innocent until proven guilty" on another thread. That's a good principle. But after examining the evidence, it looks like the guy they have in custody is the guy who did it. If this were my daughter, I'd willingly remove this guy from the land of the living, even if it meant my going to prison for it. Or at least I'd try.

[Age of Reason]

Do you think what this guy did to this little girl was wrong, or does it really depend on the neighborhood he grew up in?

I don't care if an apple is rotten because it had a bad life.

It's still a rotten apple.

If he did it, he should be hanged with wire from a meathook.

[thackney]

See Post #19
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072762/posts?page=19#19

[Age of Reason]

real shame no doubt, Pray for the family. I wonder how much money the folks in Sarasota will spend on this jerks defence? "millions no doubt" a good rope only cost .18 cents a foot

A plastic bag over his head would be even cheaper.

In fact, they could even make money if they sold tickets.

[Paulus Invictus]

Sorry, but why would her parents not have picked her up after the slumber party? I would never let my eleven year old daughter walk home alone, even in daylight. The perp should be fried and the idiots in the Florida justice system that let him go every time should be fired.

[TravisBickle]

This has to stop.

It's time for some brave lawmaker to step up and propose a Constitutional Amendment to allow cruel and unusual punishment in cases involving the criminal death or injury to children.

Since the fear of the death penalty is not enough to scare these guys, maybe a chance that they would be heinously tortured just might make these creeps think twice.

[DarthVader]

No he should be left to hang impaled on a meat hook.

[Prince Charles]

Thanks... I just ran across the black-robed perp's photo:

Judge Harry Rapkin
Circuit Court Judge
Manatee County, FL

[ought-six]

If 80% of his private practice was Personal Injury, the guy's a Democrat, and likely contributed significant sums of money to Democratic causes and candidates.

[PaulaB]

Amen...this is what happens to society when we continue to allow judges to sit on benches that promote a feel good nation. Now we have a dead and probably very molested 11 year old. When will we wake up and realize that because of liberal views we now have judges letting these monsters roam free to devour our children...how many more little girls and boys will have to die? People it's time to start slamming these people...can anyone in the Sarasota/Tampa area start protesting this judge?

[agsloss]

This group did an "escape school" presentation at my kids' school that seemed good for teaching your kids how to avoid getting abducted: www.escapeschool.com.

[Lucky2]

The judge who last allowed this criminal to roam free should be held to account as well and be subject to the same punishments It's time 1st Strike laws are created and utilized in every state and the death penalty used as well. Crimes like this will slow down when these criminals know they will face the ultimate punishment. Liberal judges will think twice as well (if they have a brain in their head's that is...) May God bless and keep Carly in his loving arms.

[ImpBill]

" Do you think what this guy did to this little girl was wrong, or does it really depend on the neighborhood he grew up in?"

Before I really jump off the deep end and perhaps make a fool of myself I am wondering, Do you think what this guy did to this little girl was wrong...?". Regardless of what neighborhood he grew up in.

[ought-six]

I don't have a daughter, but if it had been my wife, or my sister, or one of my nieces, I'd remove the b*stard, as well.

[ladylib]

With my plan, the piece of garbage castrates himself, willingly. All it costs the state is a hammer, a couple of nails, and a cast-off, rusted razor blade.

[cajungirl]

Looks like Fritz Mondale if you ask me. This guy has something to answer for.