A TEENAGER'S "spontaneous statements" will be used against him in a cheerleader's alleged murder amid a push to charge him as an adult, the Sheriff has said.
Tristyn Bailey, 13, was last seen in St Johns, Florida on Sunday morning after being reported missing by her family at 10am.
Read our Aiden Fucci live blog for the very latest news and updates…
Aiden Fucci, 14, was arrested hours later and was charged on Monday with second-degree murder.
He was a fellow student at Tristyn's school, but few details have yet been released about whether they knew each other.
During an interview with Fox News on Thursday morning, Sheriff Rob Hardwick dubbed the incident a "horrific murder."
Discussing the police's interactions with Fucci, Hardwick insisted that "the suspect in the very beginning was very cooperative" when the situation was being dealt with as a missing person case.
However, "he said some spontaneous other statements that will be used against him," Hardwick claimed.
After being asked what will happen next in the case, Hardwick said that he hopes Fucci is charged as an adult for first-degree murder.
An arrest report, obtained by First Coast News, alleged that security footage showed two teenagers walking at 1.45am. However, less than two hours later, at 3.27am, only one person was seen walking – holding a pair of shoes.
The report said that Fucci's mother mentioned something about him carrying his shoes, however, he told her it was because his feet hurt.
While executing a search warrant at Fucci's home, the report said that officers found items that tested positive for the presence of blood.
The 14-year-old provided an initial statement, however officials said this changed several times and that he made several "admissions."
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said that Bailey was located dead at the end of a retention pond, and that she appeared to have significant injury to her head and other trauma.
A medical examiner ruled Tristyn’s death a homicide caused by “sharp force trauma by stabbing.”
Sheriff Hardwick told WJXT: "This is a cold-blooded murder of a 13-year-old young girl who did not deserve to die.
"That being said, I don’t wanna mention the number of times but it is horrific. It is horrible.
“And the word accident is nowhere involved in this case."
Fucci appeared in court before Judge Richard Orfinger on Tuesday morning, wearing a dark-colored sweater, at a detention center in Volusia County.
"I do find that there is probable cause to believe the offense occurred and at this time I am going to order that Mr Fucci be detained by the department of juvenile justice in secure detention for 21 days or until further order of the court," the judge determined.
The teenager appeared to hold back tears as his detention terms were read out, before rolling his eyes when his parents were told they will have to pay $5 per day while he remains in the center.
However, it is unclear whether or not the teen will be tried as an adult.
Fucci allegedly posted a Snapchat photograph of himself in the back of a squad car holding up a peace sign asking where Tristyn was, which has left family and friends disgusted.
The Sun can confirm it is now being probed by police as part of their investigation.
Before Tuesday's court appearance, Sheriff Robert Hardwick told WOKV that the image shows he is "proud of what he did."
"I know it looks egregious with him making those statements in that car, but that is now evidence that we gather and use against him.
"So that just makes our case a better case to present to the State Attorney’s office and to present to a jury down the road saying this was his mindset."
It will be down to the state attorney to decide how Fucci will be charged.
However, if Fucci is charged as an adult, he could face life in jail if he is found guilty of the second-degree murder charges.
Following the teen's death, Tristyn's cousin, Connie Stull, exclusively told The Sun that she hopes Aiden confesses.
Asked if she hopes he comes clean, she replied: "Yes I do. I have cried my eyes out.
"I looked him [Fucci] up on Facebook, but there are too many. I'm happy they made an arrest and hope they try him as an adult.
"Tristyn was a sweetheart, she loved cheerleading, I'm an emotional wreck, my husband and I didn't sleep well last night."
Tanya White, who taught Tristyn cheerleading, described the tragedy as "completely horrendous" and "mind-blowing."
She said that she's glad Fucci has been arrested and the case is not being "dragged out" for the parents' sake.
Tanya branded Tristyn an "incredible leader, friend and role model" for fellow athletes and said she "lit up the room."
The St Johns County Sheriff's Office said that they "do not believe there is a threat at this time" asking the community to "stand down" from the search.
No information on where the body was found was revealed as cops explained they are in the early stage of a "very, very complex" investigation.
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