Officials have confirmed that the body of 8-year-old Charish Perriwinkle has been found in front of Highlands Baptist Church on Broward Road.
Investigators are now transitioning the way they’re handling the case.
“This is a very trying time for our community and for our agency as we transition from an abduction investigation to a murder investigation. We will attempt to keep everybody updated with as much information as we are able to provide it,” police spokesman Shannon Hartley said in a Saturday morning news conference.
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Officers arrested the suspect, Donald James Smith, 56, after officers surrounded a white van on southbound I-95 near the I-10 split, Hartley said.
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Police were contacted around 11 p.m. Friday by a mother who said her daughter had gone missing at the Walmart located at 12100 Lem Turner Road.
JSO Sgt. Lonnie Mills said the child was taken by a man who befriended the mother at the store and said he was taking the girl to the McDonald’s located inside the store for a snack.
Police searched the area with helicopters and ground units but did not find the suspect or the girl.
Initial reports from police stated that Smith was driving a white 1998 Dodge van, Florida plates BCBK32. The vehicle had a 2-inch dark color pinstripe down its sides, two large windows on the driver’s side, one large window and double doors on the passenger side and double doors on the back.
JSO released additional photos of a vehicle that may have been associated in this case. The photo was not high quality and at the time details of the make, model, color, etc. were unknown.
Smith is a registered sexual offender and was recently released from jail on May 31. Smith has several previous arrests involving lewd behavior with children and has a registered address of 2495 Segovia Avenue.
Anyone who has any information about the location of the suspect or victim is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email us at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
