Body Found Has Birthmark Matching Somer Thompson's: Father

The landfill is about 55 miles north of where Somer Thompson became separated from her schoolmates Monday while on her way home from school in Orange Park, Florida. While authorities emphasize no positive ID has been made, the girl's father Samuel Thompson said detectives had identified a circular birthmark on the body's shin as matching one Somer Thompson had.

Sheriff Rick Beseler said investigators searched through 100 tons of garbage before finding what seems to be Somer Thompson's body. Police said that the landfill searches were "precautionary," not based on a tip.

Somer Thompson was walking home from Grove Park Elementary School around 2:45 PM on Monday with her twin brother, older sister and some friends. She reportedly got in an argument and ran ahead. Instead of finding Somer at home as expected, her siblings arrived home and found her missing.

While many are hoping this is not Somer Thompson's body, and there remains confusion, it should be said, if not Somer, then who? Someone, apparently a child is dead anyway.

At the same time, while people wait for positive ID that this is, or is not, Somer Thompson's body, the community of Clay County, FL held a candlelight vigil. Hundreds in the community gathered in support of Somer's family.

There was also a separate vigil for Somer at First Baptist Church of Orange Park. There, the sheriff's staff inspector repeated landwhat Sheriff Rick Beseler said at a news conference earlier Wednesday, saying, "Whoever you are, we will find you."