The Daily Beast
She claims her 8-year-old granddaughter ran away. Then the police found a body in her car.
Sheriff’s Office in Gem County / Sheriff’s Office in Ada County Connie Ann Smith, of Emmett, Idaho, reported her 12-year-old granddaughter missing on April 12 and said police would run away. Three days later, little Taryn Summers was found – stuffed in a garbage bag in the back seat of Grandma’s black Lexus, according to a probable cause of the affidavit filed Monday. Authorities have now charged Smith with failing to notify law enforcement of the death and destruction of evidence. Attorney Erik Thompson, prosecutor of Gem County, called the case “serious” and said additional charges could be filed soon. ‘It’s a great devastation and loss for my sister, my family, and we and I are very sad about losing a family member at such a young age and in such a tragic way. “Taryn had a personality twice her size and was a very funny and smart little girl who could always make everyone laugh,” Jennifer Sexton, Summers’ aunt, wrote in a GoFundMe campaign. “Taryn is so loved and was a bright light that was taken out of this world too soon, and she will be greatly missed.” Did Bigfoot kill three people in the California forest? While authorities only found the child found inside Smith’s car as ‘TS’, family members confirmed her identity. Last week, the Sheriff’s Office of Gem County announced that they had discovered a body believed to be Taryn, with details similar to those in the statement. The affidavit also mentions Smith as the grandmother and guardian of ‘TS’ and says Smith has a son whose name is Summers. The 54-year-old is the owner of the property where the little girl was last seen. According to authorities, officers arrived at Smith’s home after she reported Summers as missing, discovering that a piece of carpet had been cut out. Smith allegedly told police she removed the carpet and burned it after the child “defecated” on it. According to the statement, police eventually learned that Smith had been seen at a nursery school earlier with Summers sleeping in the back seat. . Smith admitted that the girl was still asleep when they arrived home and that she brought her to a bedroom. On April 14, police and investigators returned to the forensic investigation in Idaho to search the home again – and found a ‘small brown spot’ on the bedroom wall. presumably blood. After several searches around Smith’s property, investigators gained access to Smith’s Lexus – after she initially told police she “did not know where the key to the vehicle was.” Inside, they have the body of Summers in a black trash can on the floor. Investigators said the girl threw up on her shirt and in her hair. According to online court records, Smith was then arrested on April 15. “The alleged conduct is disturbing to review the probable statement,” Judge Tyler Smith said Monday during Smith’s trial before ordering a $ 800,000 bond. ‘Report that the child is missing. Finally the discovery of the deceased child on the property, I believe two days later. The potential fine, depending on the outcome of the investigation, can be serious. Smith’s lawyer did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment. Authorities also noted that Summer was not the only family member attached to Smith who went missing. The County Sheriff’s Office of Gem County said 16-year-old Tristan Conner Sexton went missing in September 2020 and 14-year-old Taylor Summers disappeared in October. Both teens have since been tracked down and were not in danger. All three children lived in Smith’s home after moving out of their mother’s home in 2019, according to EastIdahoNews. “Law enforcers were in contact with Taylor and do not believe that she is in danger at the moment. Family had contact with Tristan Sexton and law enforcers do not believe he is currently in danger, “said Sheriff Donnie Wunder of District Thursday. “I want to thank everyone for their concern and support over the past few days.” Read more at The Daily Beast. Send it here to The Daily Beast Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily membership of the beast: Beast Inside goes deeper into the stories that matter to you. Learn more.