Patterson filed charges of first degree murder, child kidnapping, and armed criminal action against 45-year-old Craig Wood. Wood is a 45-year-old grade school coach in Springfield.
Investigators found Wood in the vehicle listed in the original Amber Alert outside his home. Inside they found the body of young Hailey Owens.
Patterson told reporters his office is still evaluating the facts, and he has not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.
“As a father, these are very hard facts to talk about,” Patterson said, his voice cracking with emotion. “Tragically we were not able to save Hailey,” he said, but he offered thanks to members of the community who provided descriptions of the suspect, as well as the vehicle and its license tag number.
He offered high praise to the nearly 100 law officers and other investigators who helped with the case. Agencies included the Springfield Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and numerous other agencies in three states.
Officials say Hailey was walking to a friends house Tuesday evening when she was forced into a vehicle. Authorities are believed to have collected some key evidence in the case from a nearby laundromat, where the attendant said he recognized a customer from the description in the Amber Alert. That evidence, and the license tag number, led investigators to Wood’s house.
Wood was taken to police headquarters, but refused to talk to police and asked for an attorney. It’s not yet clear whether he has retained a lawyer.