Police Seek Carlie Brucia's Mom

Jan. 13, 2006 — -- Police are searching for the mother of Carlie Brucia -- the 11-year-old Florida girl whose abduction was caught on tape in 2004 -- in relation to a grand theft report filed by her brother.

On Dec. 30, Schorpen stole thousands of dollars in money and jewelry from her father, Egil Schorpen, according to a sworn written statement by Paul Schorpen taken by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

Paul Schorpen -- Susan's brother who has power of attorney over their father, currently in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease -- told police his sister had convinced their father to write her a check for $800 for a drug rehab center, but the order was left blank as "they did not know the name of the drug rehab center," according to the police report. That check was later made out to Kurt Schorpen, another brother, and cashed on Jan. 4.

Paul Schorpen also told police Susan took his father's wallet, $300 in cash, a Mobil credit card and a ring valued at $5,000. She also "had taken his mother's ashes and urn, which were returned," according to the report.

Neither Susan nor Kurt Schorpen has been seen since Jan. 2, according to police and friends.

"At this point it's still under investigation," said Bob Carpenter, a spokesman for the sheriff. "They think she might be homeless in Sarasota County. We need to get a hold of her."

Paul Schorpen told police that Susan and Kurt have a drug habit.

Judy Cornett, president of Safety Zone Advocacy Inc., said she took Susan "out of a drug house" and invited her to live in her own during the trial of Carlie's killer, Joseph Smith.

"She [Susan] told me she wanted to get her life together and that's what motivated me," Cornett said. "I thought I was helping Carlie's mom."

Smith was convicted on Nov. 17 of kidnapping, raping and strangling Carlie. The abduction was captured by surveillance cameras at a Sarasota, Fla., car wash.

Cornett said Susan Schorpen moved in with her on Nov. 10, and stayed until she disappeared on Jan. 2, when Cornett said Schorpen was supposed to check in to a drug rehab center.

Cornett said Susan Schorpen also stole jewelry from her, which she estimated to be worth $3,800. It was not clear whether she had filed a police report. Cornett did not immediately return a message left for her.