BRIDGEWATER - A year after she reported her 12-year-old daughter missing, Penny Boudreau remains in jail accused in the girl's death.

 The 34 year old faces a single count of first-degree murder, which indicates investigators believe Karissa Boudreau's death was planned and deliberate.

 It was one year ago today, January 27, that Ms Boudreau contacted police saying her daughter had disappeared. She said she'd taken Karissa for a drive "to try to reach out to her as a mom and set some things straight," as she later told the media.

 Ms Boudreau said they'd argued and she'd left Karissa in the car in the parking lot of the Bridgewater Mall while she went inside to do some quick shopping. When she returned, she claimed, Karissa was gone.

 The 12 year old had been living with her mother and her mother's boyfriend for about two months, after staying with her father in Shelburne County from July into November. Before that, she'd been living in the Bridgewater area for several years with her mother and stepfather, having spent her early years in Shelburne County.

 The reported disappearance sparked a massive search for the missing child and an outpouring of support for her family. Police called in ground search and rescue volunteers, a Department of Natural Resources helicopter and RCMP divers. Child Find, internet groups and countless citizens spread word about the missing girl through posters and internet sites.

 On January 29 and again on February 1, Ms Boudreau made tearful pleas through the media for her daughter's safe return.

 The search ended in sadness February 9 when a passerby discovered Karissa's body frozen in the snow just outside town limits partway down an embankment above the LaHave River.

 Five days later, police confirmed the child had been murdered.

 On June 13, they arrested Ms Boudreau for the crime. The next day they announced they had charged her with first-degree murder and believed she acted alone.

 Since then, authorities have released no further information about Karissa's death. Crown attorney Paul Scovil has repeatedly said he believes he has a strong case and the details will come out at trial.

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 Ms Boudreau is due back in court this Friday, January 30, when lawyers are expected to indicate where the case is heading.

 Because the charge is first-degree murder, it will automatically go before a Supreme Court judge and jury unless the Crown agrees otherwise. Until that jury is selected, Ms Boudreau will not enter a plea, unless she opts to plead guilty to the charge. That can be done before a Supreme Court judge.

posted on 01/27/09