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Somer Thompson Update: Jared Harrell pleads guilty to Fla. 7-year-old's murder

Somer Thompson Murder Update: Jared Harrell pleads guilty to 7-year-old's murder
Somer Thompson AP Photo/Family photo

(CBS/AP) GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. - Jared Harrell pleaded guilty Friday to the 2009 abduction and murder of 7-year-old Florida girl Somer Thompson.

Pictures: Somer Thompson

After pleading guilty, Harrell was sentenced to life in prison.

Somer vanished while walking home from school, and her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill about 55 miles north of her Orange Park, Fla. home. Police said she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Authorities say that Harrell's mother lived on the street where she walked.

Harrell was arrested four months later in Mississippi on unrelated child pornography charges. Two months later, he was charged with murder and sexual battery in connection with Thompson's death. 

Complete coverage of the Somer Thompson case on Crimesider

Pictures: Somer Thompson

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