Canadian pair charged in 8-year-old's kidnap, murder

Two Canadians were charged Wednesday with kidnapping and murdering an eight-year-old girl whose disappearance in early April shocked the nation.

Michael Thomas, 28, faces kidnapping and murder charges, while Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, was accused of kidnapping a minor and accessory after the fact to murder for helping Thomas flee the area, police and court documents said.

They were both arrested Tuesday evening, police told a press conference.

The victim Victoria "Tori" Stafford was last seen on a security video on April 8 being led away from school by an unidentified woman. Her body has not been recovered.

"This is certainly not the end everybody or anyone was hoping for," said Woodstock, Ontario police chief Ron Fraser.

The charges follow an exhaustive police investigation, an Internet campaign and Tori's mother's daily television pleas for help, which led to thousands of tips from the public.

Police declined to offer their evidence or a motive, but said Tori's mother maybe knew McClintic.

"I believe McClintic may be familiar with Tara McDonald," Ontario Provincial Police detective William Renton said. "I believe they're familiar with one another."

The two suspects lived in Woodstock, a town of 40,000, 150 kilometers (95 miles) southwest of Toronto.