The man charged in connection with Mariah Woods’ death was ordered to be held on $1 million bond.
According to WTVD, Earl Kimrey, 32, briefly appeared in court for a Monday morning hearing.
Authorities took the live-in boyfriend of the girl’s mother into custody on Friday and charged him with concealing of death, obstruction of justice, second-degree burglary, felony larceny, and possession of stolen property.
READ More: Arrest made in presumed ‘unnatural death’ of missing toddler Mariah Woods
As CrimeOnline previously reported, an arrest warrant accused Kimrey of “removing Mariah Woods’ body from the scene of her death and … conceal[ing] Mariah Woods’ death and body, knowing that Mariah Woods died from unnatural causes.”
The Fayetteville police dive team discovered Woods’ body around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Shelter Creek in Pender County, North Carolina. WTVD reported that the Medical Examiner’s Office will positively identify that the remains belong to the 3-year-old and are working to determine how she died.
“We were all hoping for a better outcome. We have made appropriate notifications to the family.”
Woods’ mother, Kristy, reportedly last saw her daughter in bed on November 26. After she reported her missing, police issued an Amber Alert.
“It was too late to save Mariah the moment the 911 call came in,” FBI agent Stanley Meador said of Kristy’s call to report her child missing, according to the Associated Press.
WTVD reported that additional charges are possibly forthcoming as authorities continue their investigation.
Kimrey is being held at the Onslow County Detention Center. He is scheduled to reappear in court on December 18.
[Featured Image: Mariah Woods/Police Handout]
