JAILED DUO
Why was Aiden Fucci’s mother arrested?
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Why was Aiden Fucci's mother arrested?
, 35, turned herself in and was arrested for tampering with evidence, which is considered a third-degree felony in .
According to investigators, Smith reportedly tried to wash the blood off of Fucci’s jeans hours after Bailey was allegedly stabbed to death.
She was released shortly after her arrest on a $25,000 bond.
Sheriff Rob Hardwick spoke on her arrest, saying: "I remain incredibly proud of the men and women of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for their continued thoroughness in this investigation.
"Our goal in any investigation is to ensure proper accountability across the board for successful prosecution.”
He added: "Crystal Smith will be held responsible for her role in this case and justice will be served for Tristyn Bailey and her family."
On July 23, Smith entered a written plea of not guilty for the evidence tampering charge connected to Bailey's killing.
The 35-year-old mother was originally scheduled to appear in court Monday, July 26, but entered the written plea instead.
Her next court date is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, the same day her son is set to appear in court.
What charge is Aiden Fucci facing?
According to motions filed in court on May 27, 2021, .
He was previously facing second-degree murder charges, but they were upped on May 27.
As news of the murder made headlines across the US, , appearing to show him holding up a peace sign in the back of a police car.
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The caption to the image, which appeared to have been posted on Snapchat, read: "Hey guys has inybody (sic) seen Tristyn lately.”
Police confirmed the image was being reviewed as potential evidence in the case.
Fucci will now be represented by a public defender instead of his original attorney, who withdrew from the case with a judge's permission on May 21.
What happened to Tristyn Bailey?
Bailey was last seen in St. Johns, Florida, on Sunday, May 9, after being reported missing by her family at 10am.
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Her body was found by a neighbor in the woods near her Durbin Crossing home.
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According to Florida State Attorney RJ Larizza, who released an update regarding the case on Thursday, May 27, says that , with 49 of those wounds sustained to her hands and arms.
Larizza described those wounds as "defensive" and said that Bailey suffered them as she "fought for her life."
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