It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.
CCTV footage has revealed the chilling moment a little girl was lured away from her mum while out shopping, before being found dead just hours later.
The prime suspect, Donald Smith, is accused of the 2013 sexual battery and murder of eight-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle.
Smith, who is a known sex offender, allegedly lured both Cherish and her mother, Rayne by offering to buy them new clothes.
However, hours later, Ranye called 911 desperately looking for Cherish who she said was last seen in the company of Smith.
Rayne told police Smith offered to buy the family food from the McDonald’s inside the store, however they never returned news.com.au reports.
He was arrested 10 hours later after his vehicle was spotted by police and little Cherish’s body was found in front of a church in Jacksonville, Florida, the next day.
Currently, Smith is awaiting trial for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Cherish.
