HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A Hagerstown man has been charged with murder in the case of his stepdaughter.
The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown (http://bit.ly/1HxVLRv ) reports 35-year-old Ernie Benjamin Chase was arrested after the body of 17-year-old Melissa Skye Collins was found in a house. Officers were flagged down by a concerned citizen Wednesday afternoon requesting a welfare check of a possible missing juvenile. Officers responded to Chase's home and took out a report on the missing juvenile.
A press release says during the course of the investigation, officers became suspicious of the information being provided. Detectives obtained a search warrant of the residence and found the body of the victim concealed within the house.
Chase was arrested on first-degree murder and child abuse, among other charges. It is unclear if he has a lawyer.
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Information from: The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., http://www.herald-mail.com
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