A Lakeland woman has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of her father and 6-year-old daughter.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cheyanne Jessie, 25, of Lakeland on Sunday.
Investigators say, Cheyanne Jessie killed her 50-year-old father, Mark Weekly and Meredith Jessie, 6, her daughter.
On Saturday, Weekly and his granddaughter Meredith were reported missing by a family member. They were last seen on July 18, at Weekly’s home on Drane Field Road in Lakeland, where the 6-year-old was left in his care.
Investigators have not said how Weekly and Meredith were killed, but according to reports, Chayanne is believed to have killed the pair on July 18, leaving their bodies in the home for several days. Subsequently, she wrapped the bodies of Weekly and Meredith in duffle bags and placed them in a neighbors shed.
On Sunday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd offered a motive for the murders. According to him, he said that Cheyanne Jessie no longer wanted to be bothered with her little daughter and feared her relationship could become complicated with her boyfriend.
Some speculate that Weekly could have been killed while attempting to protect his granddaughter.
Cheyanne Jessie has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Mark Weekly and Meredith Jessie. She was booked into the Polk County Jail on no bond and will make a first appearance in court on Monday morning.
Read the arrest affidavit of Cheyanne Jessie HERE.
This story has been updated.
