Police: Pregnant woman's body found; cop arrested

[Hard-Rock]

CANTON, Ohio (CNN) -- A body believed to be that of Jessie Marie Davis, a pregnant Ohio woman missing for 10 days, was found Saturday, and a police officer with whom Davis had a relationship was arrested in connection with her disappearance, police said.

Canton police patrolman Bobby Cutts Jr., 30, was facing charges of two counts of murder in the deaths of Davis, 26, and her unborn child, said Rick Perez, chief deputy of the Stark County sheriff's department.

Cutts had fathered Davis' 2-year-old son, Blake, and was also the likely father of her unborn child, a girl she planned to call Chloe. Davis was nearly nine months pregnant when she was last heard from June 13. She was due July 3.

The body was recovered in adjacent Summit County about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Perez said, but would not provide further details. A police statement acknowledged the assistance of the National Park Service, but police would not say what assistance was provided.

The FBI confirmed the body was found in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northern Summit County. It did not say whether the body was buried.

Video footage from CNN affiliate WKYC showed aerials of a wooded area in the park and what appeared to be a body in a bag placed onto a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance, and what appeared to be evidence technicians working in a field.

Cutts was arrested Saturday afternoon, Perez said. Cutts is scheduled to appear Monday for arraignment in Canton Municipal Court.

Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero told reporters it was too early to say whether the case warrants the death penalty. "The charges could get elevated to a higher degree down the road."

Citing an ongoing investigation, police would divulge little regarding the case. They would not comment on whether additional arrests are expected, but said they continue to solicit tips by telephone and through the sheriff's department Web site.

Davis' family did not appear at an afternoon news conference where police announced the developments.

"They're grieving in private," said family attorney Rick Pitinii.

Asked their thoughts on the arrest, he said, "I think this whole process for them has been more about finding her instead of who is or is not at fault or at blame."

Detectives had searched the home of Cutts at least twice earlier this week.

The investigation kicked off last week when Davis' mother, Patricia Porter, alerted police after she was unable to contact her daughter. When the mother went to the home, she found Davis' 2-year-old son, Blake, wandering in an empty house.

Police said furniture was broken, a lamp was toppled and bleach had been spilled on the floor, although there were no signs of forced entry. Davis' car keys and purse were in the home, but her cell phone and a comforter were missing.

Police said earlier that Blake told authorities that his mother was crying, she had broken a table and was "in the rug."

In an earlier interview with the local Canton Repository newspaper, Cutts denied any involvement in Davis' disappearance. He acknowledged that he was married, but said he was separated from his wife and that she was aware of his relationship with Davis.

Canton Police Chief Dean McKimm acknowledged Saturday the fact that Cutts is a police officer has given his department a "black eye" in the eyes of the local community as well as the nation. He urged people not to be too quick to judge the "isolated acts" of a "rogue officer."

Authorities earlier had said Cutts had been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the search for Davis.

Thousands of volunteers had shown up to help search for Davis' body, an effort organized by EquuSearch, a Texas-based nonprofit organization.

[*Arabman]

If the body is confirmed, then may Jessie Marie Davis rest in peace.

[Hard-Rock]

Damn, I'm just watching CNN and they are reporting Bobby Lee was actually the perpetrator, today around 1pm he contacted his lawyer and togather they went to the FBI, Bobby then led the Cops an hour drive to discover the missing Body. They are also saying there was a friend that helped him. I remember watching the mother of the missing Pregnant getting interview and next to her was the Son of missing woman and the kid kept saying, 'Mom is in the Rug'

[*Arabman]

Yeah, nowadays the culprit is usually the husband or boyfriend. This one took 10 days or more 'cause the culprit is a patrolman, probably one of the very patrolmen searching for the missing woman.

[Hard-Rock]

[quote="*Arabman"]Yeah, nowadays the culprit is usually the husband or boyfriend. This one took 10 days or more 'cause the culprit is a patrolman, probably one of the very patrolmen searching for the missing woman.[/quote]

Arab, Bobby was not involved in the search. He was immidiate questioned after the disappearance, he was the prime suspect from get go. I was defending this guy when my collegues were saying, he did it....he was the easy target, Black man.

[*Arabman]

OK.