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Abducted Md. girl, 11, found dead

SALISBURY, Md. - The body of a Maryland girl who authorities say was abducted by a registered sex offender was found yesterday after thousands of volunteers fanned out to look for her.

SALISBURY, Md. - The body of a Maryland girl who authorities say was abducted by a registered sex offender was found yesterday after thousands of volunteers fanned out to look for her.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said that the body of 11-year-old Sarah H. Foxwell was discovered about 4 p.m. near the Delaware state line. He offered few other details. Thomas J. Leggs Jr., 30, has been charged in her kidnapping.

Leggs is a former boyfriend of the girl's aunt, who is her legal guardian. A public defender representing him has not returned a phone call.

Thousands of volunteers gathered in Salisbury to help in the search yesterday.

Lewis said that Sarah was last seen Tuesday night at her home on Maryland's Eastern Shore. A relative discovered that she was missing early Wednesday while checking on Sarah and her 6-year-old sister.

A charging document says that Leggs was the last person seen with Sarah.

A "juvenile witness" awoke during the night Tuesday and saw Sarah leave the bedroom with "Tommy," and said that he was wearing blue jeans, an orange jacket and white sneakers, the charging document says.

The statement of probable cause also says that Sarah's aunt, Amy Fothergill, with whom Sarah lived, noticed that Sarah's green toothbrush was missing from the home. Deputies found a green toothbrush and a lollipop in a truck Leggs admitted driving.