Thirty years after a young girl from the Tampa area disappeared after getting off her school bus, a Florida man has been charged with her murder. Jeffrey Norman Crum has been indicted by a grand jury for the 1993 death of 12-year-old Jennifer Odom.
Jennifer Odom was abducted while walking to her Pasco County home, and authorities had been searching for a blue truck that was seen near her bus stop. Tragically, her body was discovered in a field six days after her disappearance.
State prison records reveal that Crum has been in prison since 2019, serving two life sentences for sexual battery in an unrelated case.
In another disturbing incident, a Seminole County detective is facing numerous charges after allegedly tipping off suspected child sex predators about an ongoing undercover investigation targeting them.
Jose Tirado, who had been a detective with the sheriff’s office Crimes Against Children unit since 2015, reportedly warned individuals who were planning to meet minors for sexual activities. However, the “minors” were actually undercover detectives.
Sheriff Dennis Lemma expressed outrage at Tirado’s actions, stating that he was entrusted with protecting vulnerable children but instead aided those seeking to victimize them. Tirado is now facing 15 felony charges, and the sheriff is in the process of terminating his employment.
South Florida is currently under a flood watch extension until Friday morning following heavy rain and street flooding in Broward County.
The Kinney Tunnel in Fort Lauderdale was shut down due to flash flooding, and numerous other areas experienced water-related issues, including stalled cars in Hallandale Beach and breached homes and businesses in Hollywood.
While the weekend is expected to be drier in South Florida, the rest of the state can anticipate more wet weather.
On a lighter note, one can find the colorful and intriguing Barberville Yard Art Emporium along State Road 40 in Florida.
This roadside attraction offers a variety of animal statues, handcrafted ornaments, furniture, and figurines, making it a fun stop in the small Florida town of Barberville, whether or not you decide to purchase any exotic decor.
The owner, Carlos Pendola, originally from Argentina and with a background in the car dealership business, opened the three-acre shop in 2011.
