Body of missing Maryland girl found in woods
SALISBURY, MD
Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said the body of 11-year-old
Sarah H. Foxwell was discovered about 4 p.m. near the Delaware
state line. He offered few other details. Thomas J. Leggs Jr., 30,
was arrested Wednesday and charged in her kidnapping.
Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis R. Ruark said authorities
remain focused on Leggs as they investigate the killing.
"There's no indication of involvement of any other individuals
at this point," he told The Associated Press.
Leggs is a former boyfriend of the girl's aunt, who is her legal
guardian. A public defender representing him has not returned a
phone call.
Lewis said the body was found in the northern part of the
county, in the area where authorities had been focusing their
search.
"This is not the way we wanted to find our young lady on
Christmas, but at the very least we've given closure to the
family," Ruark said at the news conference.
Lewis said Sarah was last seen Tuesday night at her home on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. A relative discovered she was missing
early Wednesday while checking on Sarah and her 6-year-old sister.
A charging document says Leggs was the last person seen with Sarah.
A "juvenile witness" awoke during the night Tuesday and saw
Sarah leave the bedroom with "Tommy," and said he was wearing
blue jeans, an orange jacket and white sneakers, the charging
document says.
Sarah lived with her aunt, Amy Fothergill, who told police the
child's toothbrush was missing from the home, according to the
statement of probable cause.
Deputies said they found a green toothbrush and a lollipop in a
truck Leggs admitted driving. Leggs said he had been wearing jeans
and white sneakers the previous night -- the same clothes he was
wearing when police questioned him.
The sheriff said Leggs has been uncooperative and "of no
assistance to our investigators."
Leggs is listed on the Maryland and Delaware sex offender
registries. The Maryland listing notes that he is a child sex
offender, but does not give details about his conviction.
Lewis said Leggs has been convicted of sex offense in Wicomico
County and was charged Oct. 29 with fourth-degree burglary.
In 2001, Leggs was convicted in Delaware of rape involving a
victim who was 16 or 17, according to the Delaware registry. The
registry describes his risk level as "high" and notes he is
unemployed.
Leggs, who has been convicted of assault several times, also is
awaiting trial on charges of burglary and destruction of property
in Ocean City.
Thousands of volunteers had gathered at a stadium in Salisbury
early Friday morning and fanned out to search for her.