State seeks no bond for man arrested in Orlando girl's disappearance

Body believed to be Alexandria Chery found last week

Saniel Saintsimon.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Charges against a man arrested after his girlfriend's daughter disappeared were upgraded Monday to a felony as the state seeks for him to have no bond.

Sanel Saint Simon, 43, was arrested last week on charges of tampering with evidence in the case of 16-year-old Alexandria Chery. Deputies later filed obstruction of a criminal investigation-false information to a Law Enforcement Officer against Saint Simon and want him to not have bond.

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Alexandria's family said over the weekend that a body found near the Osceola-Polk county line has been identified as Chery. Although Orange County sheriff's investigators have not yet identified the body, court documents obtained on Monday show that the body has been preliminarily identified as Alex.

"It is expected to take several more days to confirm the identity using dental records and DNA," sheriff's officials said. "However, detectives believe enough probable cause exists that Alexandria Chery is deceased.  We will continue to work with the family of Miss Chery during this difficult time and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers."

The documents also show blood was found in Saint Simon's car, which was spotted with its hazard lights flashing by a passerby near the location where the body was recovered.

Meanwhile, dozens of Alex's family members and friends gathered Sunday night to celebrate her life. 

"It's hard, but I have to stay strong for my best friend. She wouldn't want me to be crying and feeling like this all the time. And we have to celebrate her life," said Franchesca Cadet, Alex's best friend.

Alexandria's loved ones will hold a prayer service at 7 p.m. Monday at the Kingdom Church.