Father of a 12-year-old girl, who was found dead nearly two years after he reported her missing, now behind bars after cops uncovered incriminating internet searches on his phone

Florida – In a disturbing case in Florida that has captured nationwide attention, a 36-year-old father, identified as A. Wiley, has been charged with the murder of his own daughter, marking a significant development in a mystery that began with a missing person report in 2023.  Wiley was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 12-year-old daughter, identified as L. Paige.

Paige was reported missing by her father on June 3, 2023. Wiley claimed that his daughter had left their home with her backpack in the middle of the night while he was at work. This initial report sparked a widespread investigation that spanned over 22 months, ending tragically with the discovery of Paige’s remains in a remote area in Georgia.

On April 5, nearly two years after her disappearance, Paige’s body was found in a brush-covered area of a local plantation. The breakthrough came after a detailed digital analysis led investigators to the specific location. Despite previous extensive searches of the area, including a prescribed burn conducted in early 2024 to clear heavy vegetation, it was only recently that the critical evidence was uncovered.

The focus turned sharply towards Wiley in March 2024 following the emergence of new information about his relationship with his daughter and inconsistencies in his previous statements. A forensic analysis of a phone seized from Wiley’s home revealed incriminating internet searches about remote areas with bodies of water in Alabama and Georgia, among other suspicious activities. This evidence, combined with the mounting inconsistencies in Wiley’s account of events, led to his arrest.

Chief L. Revell expressed the deep impact the case had on the community during a press conference. “I told you two years ago we would never give up. I told you two years ago we would find her and we would bring her home,” Revell stated, reaffirming the commitment of the police to solving the case. “And today, I stand before you to tell you we have done just that,” he continued, signaling a somber victory in the long-standing case. Paige “deserved a safe home and a full life. While today’s arrest will never bring her back, it does bring us one step closer to justice,” Revell added, reflecting on the tragic loss and the community’s longing for closure.

Following his arrest, Wiley was denied bond during his first court appearance. The court also granted a state prosecutor’s request to bar Wiley from contacting several family members, reflecting the gravity of the accusations against him. A public defender has been appointed to represent Wiley as he faces charges that could lead to a significant prison sentence if convicted.

As the community reels from the revelations and the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on seeking justice for Paige, whose life was tragically cut short. The case, while providing some answers, leaves lingering questions about the circumstances that led to her untimely death, which remains under investigation pending an autopsy. Wiley is set to remain in the county jail until his next court hearing, as the community and Paige’s remaining family members await further developments in a case that has deeply affected many.