Florida Teen Aiden Fucci Pleads Guilty in Murdering Tristyn Bailey

Florida teen Aiden Fucci pleaded guilty Monday to the gruesome killing of a 13-year-old cheerleader, Tristyn Bailey in a quiet suburb of Jacksonville in 2021.

On the day of his trial, he was accused of killing Bailey by stabbing her 114 times and leaving her body in a forested location outside of their village. Aiden Fucci, now 16 years old, unexpectedly filed the plea, the New York Post reports.

The prosecution made it clear that the plea arrangement with Aiden Fucci did not promise a reduced sentence, and he is being tried as an adult. However, he committed this horrific act when he was only 14 years old, making him ineligible for the death penalty.

Florida Teen Aiden Fucci Planned to Kill Someone

The body of Tristyn Bailey, who had been reported missing by her parents, was discovered on May 9, 2021.

According to the arrest record, Florida teen Aiden Fucci admitted his guilt multiple times after his arrest on May 10, 2021.

The hunting knife, thought to be the murder weapon, was discovered in a nearby pond, along with some of his blood-stained clothing, authorities said, per PEOPLE.

According to 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Fucci warned friends days before Bailey's murder that he intended to kill someone, but he did not say who.

"He indicated to witnesses that he was going to kill someone by taking them in the woods and stabbing them," Larizza said.

Fucci referenced Tristyn in an Instagram post featuring a selfie of him making the peace sign in the back of a police cruiser following his detention.

"Hey guys has anybody seen Tristyn lately?" reads the photo caption.

As part of a pre-trial video conference from the Duval County Jail, Fucci was overheard making references to "demons."

"Please don't let the demons take my soul," he said.

Then Fucci asks, "What's going on?" and says, "Why am I here? I just want to talk to my mom and dad. What's going on?"

Florida Teen's Mom Faces Charges After Tampering Evidence

After authorities claimed to have video of Crystal Smith washing blood off her son Aiden Fucci's jeans in a bathroom sink immediately after being interrogated, she was charged with evidence tampering.

It was later reported that the same pair of jeans had blood on them and in the sink drain when police got them using a search warrant.

She has already posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 4, according to Fox News.

St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick, Fucci's guilty plea, thanked the community for supporting the Bailey family and the tips it provided. He applauded investigators for their "all-out" effort to bring the Florida teen to justice.

Bailey's lawyer, Matthew H. Hinson, released a statement on Monday in which he lauded the efforts of the family's neighbors, prosecution, and the sheriff's office.

"Foremost, we would like to give thanks to God," he said. "Since this nightmare began, we have had the love and support of so many. We know so many have lifted Tristyn, our family, and her friends up in prayer. The members of our community have been simply exceptional in the support they have given us."

Meanwhile, Florida teen Aiden Fucci, still in jail, will have to return to court on February 23.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Aiden Fucci says he's guilty of killing 13-year-old classmate Tristyn Bailey, tells court - From First Coast News