PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) — The baby sitter of a 4-year-old South Florida girl who disappeared more than a decade ago has been charged with the child’s death.
Authorities have charged 33-year-old Melissa Jones — formerly Melissa Cooper — with aggravated manslaughter of a child. She was arrested Monday in Everett, Wash., and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to have her extradited to southwest Florida.
Pilar Rodriguez disappeared in 1999, when Jones took her on vacation for two weeks. Jones reportedly told authorities that the girl was beaten by her then-boyfriend, Keith Wilson. He has denied any involvement.
Prosecutors at the time said they didn’t have enough evidence to move forward.
The sheriff’s office reportedly collected new evidence near a Punta Gorda home last fall.
