Homicide victim Jenise Wright went missing on August 2. FBI PHOTO
BREMERTON, Washington — A 17-year-old male has been arrested in the death of 6-year-old Jenise Wright, the Kitsap County sheriff announced Saturday, August 9.
Detective Earl Smith announced that the suspect would be charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and rape. (Jenise was described as Caucasian, Native American and Filipino.)
The suspect’s name was not released because he is a minor. Police said he lives in the mobile home park the girl lived in.
Police said they don’t know if the suspect knew the girl’s family but since the mobile home park is so small it is “likely.”
The girl’s body was found in the woods near the park. She was last seen on Saturday, August 2, but her parents waited until the night of Sunday, August 3 to report her missing because they say they’re used to letting her walk through the neighborhood without supervision.
The state crime lab made positive confirmation of the suspect through forensic evidence.
The sheriff’s office said Friday that it was collecting DNA cheek swabs from dozens of residents who volunteered them in the mobile home park.
No exact cause of death was immediately released.
Several hundred people turned out Friday night for a vigil to honor Jenise Wright.
Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer repeated a promise made earlier in the day when the little girl was formally identified. He said while Jenise is gone, “We can and we will find justice for her.” With additional reporting by KTVB.com