SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A grand jury has formally charged a Florida man with killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, according to an indictment released Friday.
Carlie's abduction captured national attention after images from a security camera outside a carwash showed her being led away by a man in a blue jumpsuit, believed to be suspect Joseph Smith. She had been walking home from a friend's house Feb. 1.
Her body was found five days later a few miles from the carwash. Smith, 37, is also charged with kidnapping and capital sexual battery on a minor younger than 12.
Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty for Smith, who was being held without bail at the Manatee County Jail, CNN reported Friday. His arraignment was scheduled for 12.
The indictment, released by the Sarasota County State Attorney's Office, said Carlie died by "means of ligature strangulation."
