ORLANDO, Fla.—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 on May 24 that 40-year-old Robert Kern faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of 16-year-old Justis Garrett.
#LAKECOUNTY #VOLUSIACOUNTY #FDLE
????FDLE AGENTS ARREST ROBERT KERN JR. FOR MURDER OF 16-YEAR-OLD JUSTIS GARRETT????After a thorough and detailed investigation, FDLE agents issued a warrant today for the arrest of Robert Nixon Kern, Jr., 40, for the… https://t.co/lCWBH63plb pic.twitter.com/Ph6DuCN7JM
— Florida Police Scanner (@FLPoliceScanner) May 25, 2019
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.
Arrested is Robert Kern, who was dating Garrett’s mother pic.twitter.com/McnPMYyCKW
— Bob Hazen WESH (@HazenWESH) May 24, 2019
FDLE agents say Kern provided inconsistent statements on his whereabouts.
Justice for Justis at last!
FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge Lee Massie announces today’s arrest of 40-year-old Robert Kern Jr. for the murder of 16-year-old Justis Garrett in Central Florida last year.#JusticeforJustis #murder #arrest #Floridahttps://t.co/Zab624teHT pic.twitter.com/QUsy1G5lPb
— FDLE (@fdlepio) May 24, 2019
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.