8-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Recycling Bin, Teen Arrested

A 15-year-old boy has been booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of killing 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton, who was reported missing Sunday and was found dead in a recycling bin on Monday evening in Santa Cruz, police Chief Kevin Vogel said at a news conference this morning.

Maddy was last seen riding her Razor scooter shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday at the Tannery Arts Center at 1030 River St., Vogel said. Maddy lived with her mother at the center, which offers 100 affordable housing units, according to police. She was reported missing at 6:08 p.m. Sunday and officers searched for her through the night and throughout the day on Monday, Vogel said.

Personnel from the FBI, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies assisted in looking for the girl, according to Vogel. At 7:55 p.m. Monday, a Santa Cruz police detective conducted a second and more thorough search of the Tannery complex and found Maddy’s body concealed in a recycling bin in a first-floor parking structure, Vogel said.

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The 15-year-old boy, who lives in a unit above where Maddy’s body was found, was taken in by police officers for questioning that lasted into early this morning, the chief said. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of homicide and was booked into county juvenile hall, according to Vogel.

Although the suspect’s exact relationship to the victim is not currently known, police officials say Middleton and the suspect likely knew each other.

During a press conference this morning, officials confirmed they have evidence linking the suspect to Maddy but would not release details as the investigation is ongoing. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on the Maddy.

By Bay City News and AUTUMN JOHNSON

Photo courtesy Santa Cruz Police Facebook