Charges Brought In 13-Year-Old's Killing A Decade After Child's Death: Reports

PEKIN, IL — Authorities on Wednesday announced charges in the fatal strangling of 13-year-old Robert Bee Jr. of Pekin, who disappeared 10 years ago, according to reports.

Bee was last seen on Nov. 17, 2016, fleeing his home when a truancy officer arrived to take him to school. His mother reported him missing the next day.

When he fled, he went to the home of Keith A. Brackett, who was arrested Wednesday and faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide, WMBD reported. The two were friends despite a more than 20-year age difference, according to WMBD.

Bee’s bones were found in July 2017 in a wooded area along with rope and tape, 25News Now reported, adding the property’s owner said a relative, Brackett, maintained the site and was living nearby. In and around the home where Brackett lived, officers found similar rope and tape, according to the outlet.

Digital data put Brackett near the crime scene repeatedly between November and July, and also revealed Google queries such as, “How long does DNA stay on ropes?” as well as “what to do if you are suspect in a murder?” according to 25News Now.

Brackett at one point fled to Maine, 25News Now reported, but was extradited back to Illinois and has spent seven years in prison on burglary and theft charges, according to WMBD, which noted authorities would not comment on the timing of Wednesday’s arrest.