Amber alerts have been issued over several states for 12 year old Brittany Smith who was reported missing after police found that her mother had been murdered in her home. Police say Brittany is with her mother’s boyfriend Jeffrey Easley, 32. Police say the mother’s death is being investigated as a homicide but won’t discuss details on how she died. Easley supposedly lived with the mother, Tina Smith, 41. The couple apparently met each other over the internet this past summer and then he moved in with Tina and Brittany in October.
The two were spotted leaving a Wal-Mart store and they were caught on the surveillance camera. The picture shows Brittany clasping at her hands or maybe picking at her fingernails. Jeffrey stood beside her as he pushed a shopping cart that had a tent, bottled water, Gatorade and camping equipment in it. It was kind of hard to tell if Brittany was being forced to be with Easley or if she was willingly there with him. But as one report points out, it doesn’t matter if she went with him on her own or if he forced her, she is only 12 years old and according to the law she is not old enough to legally decide to leave with Easley on her own.
After police learned that Easley might be heading for Florida an Amber alert was issued and a gas station clerk in West Palm Beach notified police that a man that matched the appearance of Jeffrey had entered the stations bathroom. When police arrived with helicopters hovering over and the station complete surrounded, They couldn’t get any response when they knocked on the bathroom door so they forced the door open and found an unconscious man and dragged him out of the stall he was in.
Once they had the man out it was clear that they had the wrong man. Easley has tattoos that are pretty distinctive that the guy they pulled from the bathroom didn’t have on him. The man they found had allegedly passed out from a drug overdose so this means that police are back to the search of Brittany.
Brittany has brown eyes and brown hair and she is about 5 ft tall and wighs about 100 lbs.
Jeffrey Easley is 5 ft 11 in tall and he weighs over 200 lbs. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. The tattoos he has are on his upper arms and back.
They are thought to be driving in Tina Smith’s car which is a 2005, silver Dodge Neon 4 door sedan with Virginia license tag # XKF-2365. The car has a rear spoiler and it also has an Obama sticker on the rear bumper.
Police are asking that anyone that might have any information concerning the whereabouts of Brittany Smith and Jeffrey Easley to please contact the Roanoke County Police Department at 540-777-8641 or dial 911 and report it.
This child is not old enough to make decisions like running off with a 32 year old man, on her own. Just because she might have appeared not to be forced in the photo from Wal-Mart doesn’t mean she wasn’t too scared to run off. Maybe she witnessed something horrible prior to taking off and maybe she is too scared to run away from him. Although some 12 year old girls think they have life under control, they don’t. So until I know for sure I am not going to say this little girl is with Easley willingly. I just pray if she has indeed been forced to go along, that she will not be harmed in the process. I pray she will be returned home safe.
Disturbingly though, I did read a report where at least two phone calls had been made to Social Services before Brittany disappeared in reference to something not being right with Easley and Brittany living in the same home together. Brittany’s step-grandmother told WDBJ- TV that she called them herself and was told that there was nothing that could be done unless there was physical evidence. What kind of answer is that to be given? All of this might have been prevented had they checked in on the reports. I thought that was social service’s job to check out these complaints even if they do turn out to be nothing. We are told if we see anything unusual to report it but then when we do we are told that nothing can be done unless there is physical evidence? That is like saying wait til the child is hurt or murdered and then call us. I think something needs to be changed in some of their policies involving our children. Of course social services are denying any wrongdoing here, but why doesn’t that surprise me?
America’s Most Wanted plans to run a story about Brittany on their program Saturday night and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are planning to start posting Brittany and Easley’s pictures on billboards across Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia and Ohio.
I pray the other lost children will be found as well. Wouldn’t that be a nice Christmas gift for them and their families? Adji Desir and Haleigh Cummings! I pray that one day you both will come home. You have been gone from home far too long. My prayers are not only with you both but also with your families that miss you. God bless you all.
Jan Barrett
UPDATE: Brittany Mae Smith has been found and is safe. The man who is accused of abducting her has been taken into custody. No further details have been released, but Praise the Lord she has been found alive and well. Our prayers have been answered.
47 users commented in " Brittany Smith Update: Tip On Missing 12 Year Old Virginia Girl Finds Wrong Man "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackJan – Another great article! There seems to be some conflicting reports about Brittany. She had changed her last name to his last name on her Facebook page but then she told friends to stay on the phone with her until her mom got home because she was afraid of this guy. So I’m not sure if she was infatuated with him at one point and the attention he paid to her or not. But you are right, it doesn’t matter because she isn’t old enough to consent to ANYTHING with this creep. However, I fear she has already been molested or worse at this point. I pray she can keep it together and not tick him off. God Bless her little heart, she may not even know her mom is dead, who knows at this point. I’m sure she is frightened and being pushed into an adult world that she is not prepared to be in. And frankly I think this guy is about as ugly as a bucket of manure but thats JMO!
Hello Jan! Great article.
Can you imagne calling social services for help and after the crime occurs the reason they give is that they were busy with their Christmas Party! WHAT!
I had been noticing the Walmart Video and I was tryingto see if that was Easleys ahnd behind his back or if he had something in it. They finally discussed that last night. If it was weapon of some sort then Brittany did not go willingly. Then you wonder with all of those people around why not scream or try to run? If she saw him murder her mother then she is scared to death.
I am worried what Brittany is going through and what she has endured. I just pray that she makes it back home saely and this man is put away.JMO
LFJ – Jan’s on top of these stories and so is Simon! They are in top form for the Holidays! I’m SO enjoying all of their updates and news flashes! It’s like old times (without all the name calling, bullying and dog houses! LOL)
I can’t figure out if Brittany was infatuated with him (although I don’t find him the least bit attractive) or if he was molesting her and threatening her so she went along with what he told her to do. She may not know her mom is dead. He could be telling her he’ll kill her mom if she doesn’t cooperate. Or, she could have thought it was cool to have this older man’s attention but may not be ready to take it as far as he is…..she may fight him if he goes too far and that may cause him to become enraged. She is definitely in grave danger. And I believe she is frightened. I’m not sure what hold he has over her but I really think she’s with him because she feels she has to be and doesn’t understand what he is capable of.
I think the mom tried to boot him out and he killed her and took off with Brittany. I could be way off but that is what I’m thinking right now. She was young, pretty and she may have enjoyed his attention to a degree but at some point I think it got creepy for her. A friend stated Brittany would ask her to stay on the phone until her mom got home because she didn’t want to be home alone with him. He was definitely making his move on her. He was there for Brittany, NOT the mom. If the mom confronted him, it was her undoing.
And YES, the thing about people calling social services and them not taking calls because they were having a Christmas Party should result in ALL of them being fired. Have your dang Christmas party AFTER hours. You are paid BY the people FOR the people and their job is to protect the children! It is outrageous and heads BETTER roll over that one!
But look at social services failed Zahra. More often than not, it doesn’t help even IF you get through and report something. Ask Zahra! Oh, wait, you can’t because she was murdered, dismembered in a bathtub, bagged like garbage and scattered over several counties! GRRRRR 👿
The Social Services need to be reprimanded that is for sure!!! I think they forgot what they are there for!
It could be that Easley did threaten Brittany or he would harm her mom, that could be what he was already telling Brittany before the mom tried kicking him out. This enraged him! On those my space pages I am sure Brittanys mom had Brittanys pic up and this is what led him to her.
Easleys obsession is Brittany and I am afraid for her. jmo
LFJ – Social Services is failing kids from coast to coast. I know they are overloaded but when a child’s life is at stake EVERY call or complaint NEEDS to be utmost in importance. A child’s life depends on it. I don’t envy what these people do for a living and I know it is tough. I do appreciate their calling and the work they do but time after time children fall through the cracks and the end result is never pretty. Something needs to change! I don’t know how I could live with myself if I didn’t take a call because I was busy with a Christmas party and a child was beaten, raped and/or murdered! I hope they can live with themselves!
Yes, I think Easley was drawn to the mom due to Brittany. And Brittany may have liked the attention at first but I think it got creepy and she became uncomfortable with it. He’s holding something over her head to keep her under his control. I won’t believe that she went willingly or that she was involved in the death of her mother until someone can show me hard cold facts to the contrary! God be with her and may LE find them SOON!
Hi, I’m fairly local to this and follow every local story and its comments I can find.
Based on the time-line, cannot see how those 2 cannot be very, far away. They could’ve gotten half way across country by time Tina was found:
Brittany and mom last seen Friday morning together at the home.
Sat, neither are seen.
Sun, Brittany’s mom no show for work. Work asks for well-check. Police get there & her car is not there, so they have no reason to go in and cannot as nothing is suspicious.
Monday, Tina no show at work. Brittany no show at school. School cannot contact Tina nor can her employer. Apparently relatives in Martinsville area are also trying to reach her.
Two co-workers of Tina (one with a key) do their own well-check and find her. Police are called. (I’ve read she was shot in one article, and beaten to death in another…so either way it was bloody and violent.) Too bad police couldn’t go in Sunday morning or Easley would not have gotten another 24 hrs of time 🙁
Going back to Friday, Easley/Brittany @ Salem’s Walmart 8pm. This is minutes from Glenvar and maybe 1 mile from interstate 81. They use Tina’s credit card the one and only time and her car. I’m afraid they are very, far away and just camping along the way to get there..wherever.
(From that spot on I-81, in about 2.5 hrs they could be in WV, TN, or NC already.)
Her friends have posted online she changed her name on face book and would type ilu with Easley’s nickname after it and also FML when speaking of herself. I assume all know what that means, so she was unhappy. Only her facebook friends knew…but that’s all they knew.
Easely had to have pulled her into his web and probably planned this when he met Tina online. She had pictures of her daughter all over it. Her facebook did list age as 18, but fact she’s 12 clearly didn’t matter to Easley once he found out otherwise.
I find it hard to believe she doesn’t know her mother is dead since they have the car, and used her card. That’s disturbing. UNLESS he left her in his truck to “steal the car” and picked her up later. That way she wouldn’t know and I cannot imagine what will happen when she does if they’re still on the run. They did find his truck elsewhere because it was the one they were originally looking for/thought the couple was in.
What bothers me MOST is how CALM Easley looks. Like he is strolling along doing Sunday shopping. What a sociopath.
Hello Everyone,
you are right, Jan and Simon are giving us the facts and are on top of all these breaking stories. Thank you.
I have a 13 year old daughter and this girl has to be so scared. I pray she was not involved with her mothers death. I pray she is found safe soon.
Thak you! Virginia Girl, excellent info. This is awful! I hope they find her!
I do not know what ilu or FML means. Could you explain? Please keep us updated. Could you tell if he had something in his hand when they were in Walmart or do you think that was possibly his fingers?
BBS school- pick up here.
lfj-
amoung my daughters friends –FML means F**k my life and ilu means I love you
Thanks Jaceesmom. I was completely clueless to the initials.
I just hope this child did not participate in her moms death.Brit may have been unhappy but I am sure she loved her Mother.
Looking over Virgina Girls info it loos like the homiide occurred Friday afternoon or night possibly just before they were caught on video at the WalMart.jmo
lfj~
I believe it happened sometime Friday to. I now know every pre teen teen-teen gets upset with their parent but they still love them. I don’t believe she did kill her mom, she may of told that creep she wish she were dead and he killed her but what child hasn’t voiced that at least once?
Wonderful News! They found Brittany alive today and if I’m not mistaken, they also found the guy!
Wonderful news was reported 25 min’s ago.
🙂
Yep, the guy’s in custody where he belongs, found them up in San Francisco, CA. That was a long drive. At Least he gets transporting an underaged child across state lines, not to mention a lot of other charges-probably. Just hope Brittany is alright.
Twice in one day! Happy Tears! I am sooo relieved that she is safe now. I can’t say she was not harmed mentally, emotionally or physically. I am sure this has been a traumatic experience for her.
The story will begin to reveal itself now that Easley is in custody and Brittany is with the child protection team.
Tina can RIP now that her daugher has been found safe and alive. May God be with Tina and hold her close in his loving arms.
Thank you Justice. I doubt he had anything weapon-wise in his hand, just unlikely.
For those who want local news, WDBJ7, WSLS, ROANOKE TIMES, WSET, and search for papers in Martinsville area. Tina and Brittany actually live in Glenvar which is a small community on Rt 11 that runs parallel to I81. The local paper for there is Roanoke Times, but they don’t have comments.
Nice she was found alive. Good Christmas gift 🙂
Actually Justice, now that I look more closely at the video, I’ll be Easley was carrying the car keys behind his back.
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/2010101211006
Natalie Deblase remains have been found. RIP baby girl. There wil be Justice for you and your little brother Jonathan. I hope it is the DP!!!! As he dies he will see your beautiful little faces as he is cast into HELL!jmo
Thank goodness Brittany was found alive. Praise God! Now the scum can be held accountable for his actions. I just pray that Brittany had nothing to do with his mother’s death and that she’ll heal and recover from this horrible nightmare.
LFJ – I’m glad they found little Natalie’s remains so she can now be laid to rest with her little brother. I hope the dad and stepmom never see daylight again. And I think the mom should be “fixed” so she can’t have anymore children to neglect and abandon.
Now, how about Adam Baker being arrested? What is the flippin’ hold-up??? GRRRRRRR
Still praying the Skelton boys will be found safe and sound!
Also still praying that a break will come in the Haleigh Cummings case. That baby NEEDS justice!
Counting down the days until Casey Anthony goes to trial! Tick Tock Maggot Mom! Your days are numbered!
*her mother’s death*….not “his”…. 😳
Good day all~~
I’m so happy Brittany was found alive. oh how I pray she wasn’t involved in her mom’s death.
Both little Angels have now been found(Natalie and Nathan)
Caseys going to h### for kiliing Caylee.
NOW
we just need Haleigh found. which really is beginning to P### me off that all the other children are being found quick but not Haleigh.
haleigh needs justice.
Adam and wanta be withch b#### needs to fry. Adam needs to be behind bard in general population as does witch.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20025437-504083.html
1 hour ago. Brittany update.
Hello jaceesmom – yes, isn’t it amazing how all these other cases are wrapping up and yet we still know NOTHING about Haleigh. Are these druggie low lifes really that much smarter than LE that they can get away with this? UGH!
And YES, I’m so ready for Adam to be behind bars. What are they waiting for? I mean they KNOW he was involved and abused a corpse if nothing else! So get him behind bars for that at least! I don’t get it! He doesn’t deserve to be free!
Poor little Natalie and Jonathan! Thankfully they were found. I hope those two rot in He77 for what they did to those babies. And I don’t think too highly of the mom either! She has no right to act upset that they are dead. She KNEW they were abused and did NOTHING about it. Hadn’t even seen them in over a year. She is as much to blame for their deaths as the father and stepmonster! 👿
Hey LFJ – yeah, I’m just anxious to see whether Brittany went willingly or not and whether she was involved with her mother’s death. Brittany’s brother died playing the choking game some time back. I wonder why they aren’t releasing her to her father? I’m also wondering how involved Brittany was with this man although I find him nauseating to look at! He had some hold over her!
What I see totally wrong in the Brittany case is a woman who allowed her daughter who is only 12 to have a face book page. People need to be aware that there is a new outlet for SOs and it is the internet. Women were already easy targets before but now they are going on line to meet men they havent got a clue about and allowing them access to their children. Everyone needs to get smarter and protect them selves better. Sadly she made one mistake and it cost her her life and almost cost her daughters too. jmo
http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/270674
Update – Brittany is coming home today, escorted by two detectives. Her dad is actually a police officer! I didn’t know that!
Extradition hearing for Easley announced as well!
Tobias – boy, you got that right. This guy had NO interest in the mom. It was all about the 12 yo from the get go. And yes, a very costly error in judgement to say the least. My son will turn 16 in January and I won’t even let him have a facebook page! He thinks I’m evil and TOO protective. Oh well, he’s alive, safe and sound. That’s all that matters. LOL
Good Morning all,
after reading everything and watching all the interviews they keep showing on TV.
I believe Brittany knew her mom was dead all along.
she’s only 12. what 12 year old can go a week without talking to a parent? my 13 year old can’t. not one member of her family raced off to SanFran. not even her police officer dad. also they said she knew her mom was dead. I don’t think the SanFran police told her. Please tell me she wasn’t involved.
I do not think young kids should be allowed to have fb or myspace unless they are kept private and are supervised by the parents. Cybercrime is on the rise. Brittany had herself listed as being 18 on her fb and she definitely did not look 12.I do not tweet, fb or myspace.
I did not know her dad was a police officer either, JB. Do you know if her dad lived in the same town and state as Brittany? I agree with callig DCF, but why didn’t they call her dad? When I was told they were at a Christmas party (DCF), call her dad an I bet he could of have done something.
It is awful about her brother. Criminal Minds did a show last year on the choking game. I am sure this case as many others helped inspire the show. Now, her mother. This family has met with alot of tragedy. I just thank God that Brittany was found alive. JB, my son turned 16 at 5:08 am this morning.
Goodmorning Jaceesmom, I hpe she is not involved either. Brittany looked very nervous to me in the videos of Wal-mat and Safeway. She constantly was wringing her hands. I do think there is a good chance that she knew about her mom.jmo
Good Morning LFJ and Jaceesmom. I believe in one interview they stated that she did know that her mom was dead all along. I’m praying she wasn’t involved and didn’t go willingly but I’m seriously starting to wonder. But she’s a pretty girl so what did she see in that greaseball frumpy louse? I mean, if he was GQ, tall, dark, handsome, rock hard abs, dimples, etc., I could see where she might go gaga over him but THIS guy is UGLY if you ask me!
Brittany is lucky to be alive but I’m afraid her journey to recovering from all of this may be a long one. I do hope they get her some counseling!
Yes, she was wringing her hands but was it because she was afraid of him or afraid they’d get caught after killing her mother? Those questions have yet to be answered and I almost fear the truth. I’m not sure we’ll ever know the truth. She isn’t going to admit to anything!
I thought I read in one article where the dad had traveled to Brittany’s home town to help search for her so he was there at some point. I don’t know what kind of relationship he has with Brittany though.
I just have to stay focused on the positive. She was found alive and with counseling no matter what took place, there is hope for her.
Hello all. This is a nice blog. Not a bunch of fighters, just armchair detectives like me 🙂
I live near where this occurred and have been transfixed to the local stories and comments. The family has been VERY quiet and did ask for respect to their privacy from day one which isn’t that unusual. Remember, they are also mourning a murdered family member. Has to be unreal.
I’m not so sure Brittany was aware Easley killed Tina. I notice 2 statements on that subject worded slightly differently coming from VA law enforcement compared what those in CA had to say. During questioning in CA it was asked if Brittany knew her mother was dead to which the spokesperson responded, “yes, Brittany has been told.”
Yet, Roanoke police responded to same question only sayng “she knows”. When further questioned as to when she knew, he stated that couldn’t be released to preserve the integrity of the investigation. (We also know she fully cooperated with authorities in CA.)
Also, I’ve doubts she’d be returning to South Boston and released to her family as of today if she had helped to premeditate this.
Here are a few good, local articles. Cannot say much for some of the posters, but just have to wade through the slop for the goodies 🙂 In the “side-by-side” article it is mentioned an aquaintence of Easley’s is seen to be there in a purple vehicle and has been questioned by police. Possibly the local the Roanoke police feel may have helped him get out of the area? If so…COULD someone have transported them from where the SUV was found to the home so Easley could “steal” Tina’s vehicle while Brittany waited? My guess, but we will see. If so then we have an accomplise to murder in the individual who met them @ Apple Market.
———————-
Store employee says Brittany Smith and Jeffrey Easley were regulars and always “side by side”
http://discussions.wdbj7.com/20/wdbj7/wdbj-store-employee-says-brittany-s-121310/10
Brittany Smith’s Father: Theresa Shanley is “My Hero”
http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=13667624
Theresa Shanley Says She Locked Eyes With Brittany Smith
http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=13667593
New surveillance video of Easley & Brittany Smith before leaving area
NOTE: They were seen over an hour at this store after the Walmart video in the original RED SUV still…not Tina’s car.
http://www2.wsls.com/news/2010/dec/13/7/new-surveillance-video-easley-brittany-smith-leavi-ar-712919/
Also, did read somewhere that family and friends are horrified, but not surprised Tina could have been deceived in this way. They said she was a “hopeless romantic” and WAY too trusting. Sad. Little Brittany never learned to be cautious it seems. Children learn to do what they observe us do…and if mom’s a hopeless romantic, Brittany clearly held up the same emotional values for herself for a relationship. She felt “in love” and I believe her only intent was to run away with her “true love.” Hope I’m right on this.
This article just hit the news site. She’s been turned over to her family.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/270698
maybe Britt thought that if mom loved this guy he must be special but still ppl. someone died here and Britt is only 12. she is to young to go threw all she has and will. there’s no excuses for this. I want to hear she didn’t NO and wasn’t there or involved.
Virginia Girl – great input and info! Thank you. I want to believe she wasn’t involved and didn’t have any part in her mother’s death. I want to believe she was kidnapped and didn’t go willingly. I pray that is the case but I do still wonder……
Jaceesmom – I’m with ya, I want to hear that she wasn’t involved and didn’t want to be with this slimeball. Time will tell.
Oh, and LFJ, happy birthday to your baby! Meant to say that earlier when I read your post and forgot! The big 16! Aw, I remember those days! (barely) LOL
Virginia Girl – after reading the articles and the accounts of the woman who spotted Brittany and had the store clerks call LE, perhaps Brittany is nothing more than a victim in all of this. The way the lady spoke Brittany was almost pleading with her eyes for help. That doesn’t sound like someone who went willingly. And from one of the articles you posted it stated that LE has learned things about the cross country trip and it has caused them to want to take care of it. To me that says she was kidnapped, she didn’t go willingly and she was probably sexually abused by Easely. God love her little heart if that is the case. She’s sure been through it!
take care of HER not IT!!! 😳
Virginia girl thank you for all the articles. I do not think Brittany may have went willingly. I agree she was pleading to the woman going into the store. NG is loud and obnoxious, but thanks to her show Brittany was found alive. It does serve a purpose.I wis more could have a better ending.jmo
http://radioamber.net/?p=3407
Skelton being arraigned today in Michigan; no sign of the boys yet.
http://blog.al.com/live/2010/12/stepmother_beat_burned_deblase.html
Deblase case update
Thanks for the posts LFJ – I’m just curious how they are going to prove murder for both of these fools. They are both pointing the finger at each other. How will LE PROVE who did it or if either did it? We know they did but it will be tough to prove who actually killed them and THAT scares me. So help me if there two get away with murder and only do time for the abuse charges! GRRRRRRRR! 👿
I think that is why the LE there says they are both reponsible for the deaths of Natalie and Jonathan. The fact is the step mom could of called authorities well before these children died she did not do it.She could of taken these chldren out of this abused enviroment. She did not do it. I believe they will get what is coming to both of them.
The bio-mom could of saved her children. The person that called the bio-mom shold have called authorities and then the bio-mom. Trust yourself to do what is right. jmo
New twist in the story. The man seen with Brittany and Easley the night of Dec 3rd @ the Apple Market in Salem seems to have a shady past. This dude purchased Easley’s red SUV that had the stolen items from Tina’s home.
I cut/paste the disturbing part concerning the guy in, but the whole article is pretty good.
(BTW, we are getting A LOT of snow today in Virginia…yahoo!)
***********************
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/270904
McElvy’s criminal record includes a 2002 charge of raping a 14-year-old girl and two counts of sodomy, according to court records. Under a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and the sodomy charges were dropped. He was sentenced to a year in prison, according to court records.
McElvy’s landlord, Charles Chang, said he is seeking to evict McElvy and McClure because they haven’t paid December’s $550 rent or the water bill.
1 year in prison and then droppped the sodomy charges!! OMG! there should have been NO! plea agreements with this dirt bag!! That poor 14 year old. The scars she will have too live with and NO justice. I pray Brittany did not have to endure this while with Easley.jmo
Thank you Virginia Girl.
Yes, isn’t our justice system wonderfull? 🙄 One year in prison for what that man did to a 14 year old. EXCUSE ME? People do more time for writing a bad check for Pete’s sake! Our laws have GOT to change because these people who abuse children certainly don’t change! Once out they repeat their crimes against our children. It HAS to stop!
you got that right JB
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