Mother's boyfriend, Sanel Saint Simon, arrested in connection to missing Orange County teen, 16-year-old Alexandria Fransa Chery. Update: Female’s body found near search site. Update: Body found is that of missing teenager.

Posted: 6:06 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2014


ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of an Orange County teenager earlier this week.

Deputies said 16-year-old Alexandria Fransa Chery was last seen at her home at the Hawthorne Grove apartment complex in Orlando early Monday morning.

Chery’s family and friends are putting out a desperate plea for information in the case.

“All I’m worried about right now is finding my sister,” said Alexandria Chery’s brother, Fanzo Chery.

As word of her disappearance spread through social media, crime scene technicians spread out across Orange County searching for any signs of foul play.

Sanel Saint Simon was arrested in the case and charged with providing false information to a law enforcement officer and attempted destruction of evidence.

Saint Simon, authorities said, is the long-time boyfriend of Chery's mother.

Authorities said Chery told her mother about 7 a.m. that she didn’t feel well and was staying home for the day. When her mother got home later that evening, however, her daughter was nowhere to be found.
Investigators said almost all of Chery's personal belongings were gone from the closets and dresser when they arrived at the scene.
The only thing left in the room was an oversized stuffed teddy bear with what appeared to be a moderate amount of blood or some sort of substance on the foot.

“The individual could have been seriously injured or it could have been a homicide,” said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.

The mother said she also saw blood spatter on several other areas of the residence and that there was a strong odor of bleach coming from a pair of men's underwear found under her daughter’s bed.
Chery's mother also noted that the bed, which is usually made well, was stripped of the comforter, sheets and pillows.

Saint Simon went to his job at the South Kirkman Road Boston Market about 7 a.m. Monday, but left without notification about 9:30 a.m., according to authorities.

Investigators said Saint Simon was untruthful during questioning and Chery's disappearance is considered extremely suspicious.

Authorities are processing Saint Simon's black Pontiac hoping to find clues. They're asking anyone who may have seen the car in the area on Monday to contact authorities.

Saint Simon is being held in the Orange County Jail.

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Posted: 11:16 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014


POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies said a body that was found in a wooded area near the Osceola-Polk county line Friday morning is that of a female, but it has not been positively identified.
At about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Osceola County deputies said they received a call from a citizen who reported discovering a body in a wooded area near Reunion. The decomposed body was discovered off Osceola-Polk Line Road, also known as SR 532, between Reunion and ChampionsGate, authorities said.
The body's location is not far from where dozens of law enforcement officers searched for missing Orange County teenager Alexandria Chery on Thursday.
"I know there is obvious anticipation trying to determine whether it's Alexandria Chery or not. We have not made a positive identification, again, I want to stress that," said Capt. Angelo Nieves of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The body will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification.
Chery, 16, has been missing since Monday and her mother's boyfriend, Sanel Saint Simon, has been arrested in connection with the teen's disappearance. Investigators said the 43-year-old lied about his whereabouts the day Chery disappeared. Saint Simon told them he was at work, but was really driving around in a black Pontiac, according to deputies.
Saint Simon is considered the prime suspect in the case, the Sheriff's Office said Friday.
"Our investigative team will continue to search any area that they think they can locate any evidence," said Nieves.
Nieves said it will be up to the Medical Examiner's Office to determined the identity of the body.

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This mother should be shot!!! We all know it's her body....

Posted: 8:52 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A body found in the wooded area near the Polk-Osceola county line is that of missing teenager Alexandria Chery, according to her family.

A female body was found in a wooded area near the Osceola-Polk county line Friday morning, but deputies said it still has not been positively identified.

Chery's family spoke to the media Saturday evening and said they had the Medical Examiner's results, which they said showed that the body is Chery's.

At about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Osceola County deputies said they received a call from a citizen who reported discovering a body in a wooded area near Reunion. The decomposed body was discovered off Osceola-Polk Line Road, also known as SR 532, between Reunion and ChampionsGate, authorities said.

The body's location is not far from where dozens of law enforcement officers searched for missing Orange County teenager Alexandria Chery on Thursday.

"I know there is obvious anticipation trying to determine whether it's Alexandria Chery or not. We have not made a positive identification, again, I want to stress that," said Capt. Angelo Nieves of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Chery, 16, has been missing since Monday and her mother's boyfriend, Sanel Saint Simon, has been arrested in connection with the teen's disappearance. Investigators said the 43-year-old lied about his whereabouts the day Chery disappeared. Saint Simon told them he was at work, but was really driving around in a black Pontiac, according to deputies.

Saint Simon is considered the prime suspect in the case, the Sheriff's Office said Friday.
"Our investigative team will continue to search any area that they think they can locate any evidence," said Nieves.

Stay with updates Eyewitness News for more updates on this developing story.

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Family and friends of 16-year-old Alexandria Chery gathered at an Orlando church Monday night, just hours after the prime suspect in her death appeared in court for a bond hearing.

Pastor David Jacques spoke about Chery to the dozens of people in attendance at Kingdom Church.
"She came to the front and cried out as we prayed with her. And at the end of the service she stopped one of the elders and asked, 'I want you to pray with me again so I can remain strong in my faith,'" said Jacques.

On Monday prosecutors added a new charge against Sanel Saint Simon, the boyfriend of Chery's mother, in connection with the case. He's now being charged with felony obstruction of a criminal investigation.
A judge raised the bond for Saint Simon to $500,000 earlier Monday after the state filed a motion to increase it from $7,500.

But the new felony charge carries no bond and Saint Simon will face a judge at the Orange County Jail for a first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
New documents obtained by Channel 9 indicate authorities are processing blood found in Saint Simon's car to see if it matches that of Chery.
The 16-year-old was reported missing early last week, and family members said her body was found Friday morning in Osceola County.
"I know that, I know that she is home safe with God. I know," said church member Yvonne Fergus.
Saint Simon is accused of lying about Chery's disappearance and trying to clean up the bloody crime scene at her home.
Chery’s mom found her room ransacked and detectives discovered blood on her belongings and bleach used to clean it up.
Saint Simon's uncle told authorities his nephew asked him to lie about him driving the vehicle, which was spotted in the area where Chery's remains were found.
The car was apparently pulled over to the side of the road with its hazards flashing the same day Chery vanished, authorities said.
Deputies said they're still working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the body, but are moving forward with their investigation as if the body is Chery’s.
As the family grieves and seeks justice, the church community is rallying to raise money for her funeral.

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Posted: 3:18 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014


ORLANDO, Fla. — During a hearing Tuesday, the bond was lowered to $200,000 for the suspect accused in the death of Orange County teenager Alexandria Chery.

The 16-year-old was reported missing early last week, and family members said her body was found Friday morning in Osceola County.

On Monday, prosecutors added a new charge against Sanel Saint Simon, the boyfriend of Chery's mother, in connection with the case. He's being charged with felony obstruction of a criminal investigation.

Prosecutors wanted Saint Simon's bond increased to $500,000, but the judge settled on $200,000 with pre-trial release supervision, which means the judge wants to know where Saint Simon is going to be living.

Saint Simon, 43, is accused of lying about Chery's disappearance and trying to clean up the bloody crime scene at her home.
Chery’s mom found her room ransacked and detectives discovered blood on her belongings and bleach used to clean it up.
Saint Simon's uncle told authorities his nephew asked him to lie about him driving the vehicle, which was spotted in the area where Chery's remains were found.
The car was apparently pulled over to the side of the road with its hazards flashing the same day Chery vanished, authorities said.
Deputies said they're still working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the body, but are moving forward with their investigation as if the body is Chery’s.
As the family grieves and seeks justice, the church community is rallying to raise money for her funeral.

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