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Florida authorities extradite man who they say killed teen

Posted at 3:09 PM, May 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-25 15:09:58-04

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida authorities say they've extradited from New York a man who killed the teenage daughter of a woman he dated.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday that 40-year-old Robert Kern faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of 16-year-old Justis Garrett.

The teen was last seen in April 2018. Kern told investigators that he had taken Garrett to her high school. Her body was found by hikers in woods in DeLand, Florida, four days after she was reported missing.

FDLE agents say Kern provided inconsistent statements on his whereabouts.

Kern's case hadn't yet been filed with the clerk of court in Volusia County, so there was no record if he had an attorney. He was being held without bond.