Pace, Florida – A third arrest has been made in the shocking case involving the death of 14-year-old Danika Troy, whose burned remains were discovered in a wooded area earlier this month. Authorities say a 45-year-old man who claimed to have found the body waited hours before alerting law enforcement, raising new questions about the timeline of the investigation.
Man Accused of Delayed Reporting After Discovering Teen’s Body
Investigators said they made contact with Mitchell Eddins, 45, shortly after midnight on December 3, when he finally called authorities to report that he had come across a dead body in the woods. The remains were later confirmed to be 14-year-old Danika Troy, who had been missing since November 30.
According to the arrest report reviewed by investigators, Eddins admitted he found the burned body earlier on December 2, at around 1 p.m., while walking along a wooded trail in Pace. Police say his delay in reporting the discovery is a critical issue.
In a statement included in the arrest documents, Eddins told officers he didn’t call earlier because “he planned to.”
Police Say He Took the Teen’s Scooter Before Calling for Help
Authorities said Eddins first noticed a burned patch of ground, along with a black scooter, before realizing a body was present. Instead of immediately contacting law enforcement, Eddins allegedly took the scooter home.
When questioned, he reportedly admitted telling several people about what he saw, all of whom urged him to contact police. The scooter, believed to belong to Troy, was later found inside a back room of his home.
Police say the delay, combined with the removal of property from the scene, resulted in Eddins being charged.
Charges Filed Against Eddins
Eddins faces two misdemeanor counts:
- Failure to report a death
- Petit theft
He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail and is being held on $7,500 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 16.
Two Teens Already Charged With Murder
As previously reported by investigators, two teenagers are accused of killing Troy. Police said 16-year-old Gabriel Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins lured Troy into the woods, shot her multiple times, and then set her body on fire.
A witness told police the pair had discussed harming Troy as revenge after she insulted Williams on social media and blocked Blevins’ account. Troy was last seen alive on the night of November 30.
Ongoing Investigation
The involvement of Eddins does not change the current murder charges against the two teenagers, but police say his actions hindered timely reporting and interfered with the handling of key evidence. Detectives continue to build the case as the community follows developments closely.
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