Missing Md. 11-Year-Old Found Dead

(AP)  The body of a Maryland girl who authorities say was abducted by a registered sex offender was found Friday in a wooded area near the Delaware state line after thousands of volunteers spent Christmas searching for her.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said the body of 11-year-old Sarah H. Foxwell was discovered about 4 p.m. 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 Thursday that Leggs has been uncooperative and "of no assistance to our investigators."

(AP)

Leggs, left, 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 a 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.

[mjb89]

mswolfestock said: Cheapest option - let the victim's family deal with the POS.
I have another solution. Transfer this piece of garbage to the Prince George's County Maryland Detention Center. That will put an end to him! (And rightfully so.) Something has to be done to keep him and his kind off the streets and away from children forever. I would suggest that all readers check the national registry of sex offenders so you can be informed about who lives on your block. You might be surprised (as was I).

[presjfk]

Maybe the system will get it right the next time and execute him.

[NowBeWithThat]

Thomas Leggs Jr. is a living sentient being who CHOSE to perpetrate this wickedness on an innocent defenseless child.

God had nothing to do with his decision.

Instead of blaming God for this, we ought to be taking note of the sharp increase in crimes against children. This world grows darker by the moment.

[haremsforbidden]

Now we the taxpayers have to house feed and provide medical for this scumbag.

[jwesel1]

This is one redneck republican you don't want in your community.

[carolcape]

If anyone knew that this man was a sex offender, why was he in a home and having access to a child. Is this woman a complete moron. She should be charged with child neglect also if she knew of his record. Where can these little children be safe, this is so heartbreaking. And to think this little one was thinking of the joys of Christmas like every child and she fell into the hands of the devil. I feel that this crys for the death penalty. This did not have to happen and somebody was asleep at the switch here. What a tragedy for the community and the family.

[Michiganmoe]

I do not understand what this man was doing in the house in the first place. If he is a registered sex offender he should have been no where near that house, let alone those kids. What was she thinking when she dated him in the first place. Did the aunt know that he was a registered sex offender?

[rodocker_p_r]

I am a parent, a grandparent and a father... and a DOC Officer... when will it all stop???

I wrote the poem below and dedicate it to Sarah... (It seems the transfer process has changed the punctuation...)


Sarah H. Foxwell

I can?t explain the pain; the words just wont come out?
My tears they fall like rain,
Devastation my heart does shout?
Why? I scream in anger! Why, I scream in sorrow?
I bow my head and weep,
The pain so draining I?m weak.
This, time shall never heal,
No pleas no bargains no deal!
Suffer the loss and feel the hurt.
See me toss a handful of dirt?
Let me watch the end of life?
Mine is over? cut like a knife?
Was there a cry?
Was there a tear?
Was there a scream?
Did anyone hear?
White noise rises as sinks my heart?
All that I am has fallen a part?
To my knees I fall?
I weep?
The young should never sleep?

Pernell R. Rodocker
12-26-09

[rodocker_p_r]

I'm a husband, a father and a grandparent... and a DOC Officer... When will it ever stop???

This is a poem I wrote to dedicate to Sarah...

Sarah H. Foxwell

I can?t explain the pain; the words just wont come out?
My tears they fall like rain,
Devastation my heart does shout?
Why? I scream in anger! Why, I scream in sorrow?
I bow my head and weep,
The pain so draining I?m weak.
This, time shall never heal,
No pleas no bargains no deal!
Suffer the loss and feel the hurt.
See me toss a handful of dirt?
Let me watch the end of life?
Mine is over? cut like a knife?
Was there a cry?
Was there a tear?
Was there a scream?
Did anyone hear?
White noise rises as sinks my heart?
All that I am has fallen a part?
To my knees I fall?
I weep?
The young should never sleep?

Pernell R. Rodocker
12-26-09

[quiuqu]

Sex offenders should be neutered. They are driven by malformed sexual desire. Judges and women should also be accountable. This happenstoo often and we do not seeem to be able to stopit otherwise. What is the greater good in this situation?