Girl, 8, found dead after vanishing seven days ago - teen is charged with murder. Madlyn (Maddie) Rae Clifton disappeared near her home in Jacksonville, Florida, after heading out of her home to play on Wednesday. By Hailey Burchardt, news reporter Tuesday 10 November 1998 at 16:02 Madelyn Rae Clifton went missing after she had gone outside to play. Pic : News 4 Jax The body of the missing 8-year-old has been found under the waterbed of her 14-year-old neighbor in Florida after she vanished seven days ago. Search for 8-year-old Madelyn Rae Clifton, known as Maddie. Has come to a devastating end. After disappearing seven days ago, Maddie’s lifeless body was discovered under the waterbed of her 14-year-old neighbor, Joshua Earl Patrick Philips. Last Tuesday, Maddie went outside to play near her home in the Lakewood neighborhood and never returned. Her family and the community were left shattered by her sudden disappearance. However, hope turned to horror when Melissa Philips, Joshuas mother, made a horrifying discovery in her sons room. Following a strong odor, Melissa investigated further and found Maddies body hidden under Joshuas waterbed. She immediately flagged down a police officer on routine surveillance in the neighborhood, who then entered the house and discovered the tragic finding. Joshua had kept Maddie s body hidden under his bed for a week before its discovery by his mum. …show more content…
Detectives recovered a knife and a baseball bat, believed to be the weapons used in her murder. It was determined that Maddie was killed on the same day she went