A teen who stabbed his grandmother to death early on Tuesday morning, then took off, is now in custody.
Polk County investigators say, 19-year-old Jasper Smiddie, murdered his 67-year-old grandmother, Glorida Helfich, by stabbing her 58 times in the back and 34 times to the back of the head. Authorities say, Helfich also had a stab wound to the face, which was bruised by a pipe wrench.
Authorities went to conduct a well-being check requested by a family member and found Helfich dead around 7:00 a.m.
Investigators say, Smiddie took off and a statewide BOLO (Be On the Look Out) had been issued for him.
On Wednesday morning, deputies caught up with Smiddie in Lake Wales coming out of an abandoned home at 4890 Wales Street, not far from girlfriend’s parents’ house in Sebring. He was in the company of his 14-year-old friend and neighbor, Charles “Charlie” Giem, who is cooperating with PCSO detectives.
Investigators say, Smiddie was arrested on January 30, 2012 for interference with child custody, and released on bail the following day.
Smiddie has been charged with first degree murder in the homicide of his grandmother, Gloria Helfrich, with whom he lived, investigators said.
Smiddie was taken into custody in Highlands County and booked into the Highlands County Jail. He was transported to Polk County on Thursday morning.
