Posted on 01/21/2006 3:14:17 AM PST by irgbar-man
ST. PETERSBURG - Just before 10 p.m. Thursday, undercover police on a prostitution sting downtown saw a woman trying to wave down cars.
She approached an undercover officer and asked for a ride. Once inside, she exposed herself and asked the officer to touch her to prove he wasn't a cop, police said.
After officers identified themselves, they found a crack pipe with suspected cocaine residue in the woman's bra. They also learned she had a butterfly tattoo on her right shoulder with one word: Carlie.
The woman was Susan Schorpen, mother of Sarasota abduction and murder victim Carlie Brucia.
Schorpen was reported missing earlier this month after she stole money and jewelry from her father, authorities said.
Schorpen was being held Friday in lieu of $5,250 bail.
A public defender entered a written not guilty plea on her behalf Friday afternoon.
Authorities reported earlier this month that Schorpen had disappeared after stealing thousands of dollars in money and jewelry from her father.
On Jan. 4, Schorpen cashed an $800 check that her father wrote to pay for her drug treatment in a residential program.
She also stole cash, credit cards and a ring worth $5,000, Charlotte County sheriff's officials reported.
After her arrest Thursday night, Schorpen told St. Petersburg police she was homeless, though she listed a previous address in Tampa.
Schorpen's 11-year-old daughter, Carlie, was abducted, sexually assaulted and strangled by Joseph Smith in February 2004.
The case gained nationwide attention because the abduction was recorded by a car wash surveillance camera.
A jury convicted Smith of first-degree murder and recommended the death sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13.
No court date has been set for Schorpen in Pinellas County.
A public defender entered a written not guilty plea on her behalf Friday afternoon.
Authorities reported earlier this month that Schorpen had disappeared after stealing thousands of dollars in money and jewelry from her father.
On Jan. 4, Schorpen cashed an $800 check that her father wrote to pay for her drug treatment in a residential program.
She also stole cash, credit cards and a ring worth $5,000, Charlotte County sheriff's officials reported.
After her arrest Thursday night, Schorpen told St. Petersburg police she was homeless, though she listed a previous address in Tampa.
Schorpen's 11-year-old daughter, Carlie, was abducted, sexually assaulted and strangled by Joseph Smith in February 2004.
The case gained nationwide attention because the abduction was recorded by a car wash surveillance camera.
A jury convicted Smith of first-degree murder and recommended the death sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13.
No court date has been set for Schorpen in Pinellas County.
A sad picture all around.
Sheesh! Pushed off the deep end or what?
Was she always this way, or has the whole episode unhinged her?
Not sure. Ping to the JDPL-meister and Florida freepers.
Is the content of this story as it is written the reporters fault or the editors fault? Anybody else notice?
She also stole cash, credit cards and a ring worth $5,000, Charlotte County sheriff's officials reported.
Not an 'allegedly' in the lot, is there? Get a change of venue free card time....
I noticed. It's the editor's.
I'd have a hard time reading the whole paper.
the redundancy in the MSM. Gack!
This is the home that Carlie was growing up in. Sad. Within 2 years, I'd say she would have been following in Mama's footsteps. Where were responsible relatives? Unfortunately, I suspect this same scenario is being played out all across the country. I worked for a short time in a drug/alcohol rehab facility. I suppose that's why I have little sympathy for users.
Thanks for the post. Sheesh. Speechless.
Carlie Brucia
------Poor little angel. What kind of life must she have led before it was ended? Sad........
Oh lord, how sad. Nobody should ever have to endure what this woman has. I hope she gets some help.
This is what drugs does to you. You steal from parents and friends first , then prostitution, then armed robbery or whatever it doesnt matter as long as you feed the habit.
Her father doesnt seem too bright, You never write a check and give it to the addict to take to the rehab.When you have an addict around you remove anything valuable. They would sell their mothers oxygen equipment for a hit.
Was she like this while Carlie was alive, I wonder? How sad, in every possible way.
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