A suspect has been charged in the strangling death of 11-year-old Alabama girl Amberly Barnett, authorities said today.
Christopher Madison, 33, is held in the DeKalb County jail without bail on a capital murder charge, according to the sheriff’s office.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said an initial autopsy report shows Barnett was strangled.
Barnett’s body was found about 200 yards behind Madison’s home early Saturday, Welden said. Barnett had been reported missing late Friday in the Mount Vernon community of DeKalb County, where she was living with her aunt on County Road 822.
Mount Vernon is about 25 miles northeast of Gadsden.
Welden announced Madison’s arrest during a press briefing at the sheriff’s office in Fort Payne on Monday afternoon. the sheriff read a brief statement but didn’t take questions from reporters.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, and in order not to jeopardize that investigation, I am not at liberty to disclose any additional information concerning this case,” Welden said.
“My heart is still shattered,” the sheriff added. “Our main focus is justice for a sweet angel that gained her wings.”
Madison was initially arrested Saturday evening on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance, records show. He was accused of having methamphetamine and a syringe, court records show. The capital murder charge was added Monday.
In Alabama, capital murder is punishable by the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Amberly’s mother, Jonie Barnett, wrote a Facebook post in memory of her daughter on Sunday evening.
“You were the jewel in our hearts,” the mother wrote, “you were loved in every way, now you're gone, you're truly missed each and every day... You always brought the sunshine and you brightened up our world, spreading happiness and kindness since you were a little girl.”
As of Monday, a GoFundMe account already raised about $7,000 for Barnett’s family. The online account was created by alumni of Cedartown High School in Georgia. Jonie Barnett was a member of the class of 2009.
Last updated at 3:52 p.m.