Putnam Co. man accused of murder in the death of a 15-year-old girl

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A man has been charged in the death of a 15-year-old girl whose body was found last week. in a wooded area near Cookeville.

Charles “Chuck” Carter, 63, of Putnam County, was charged with second-degree murder and one count of abuse of a corpse. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Carter provided illegal narcotics to 15-year-old Olivia Taylor, which caused her death last week.

Taylor’s body was found Thursday in a wooded rural area near Highway 70, east of Cookeville. Carter is additionally charged with aggravated assault.

“This tragic event is another example of what illegal drugs coming across our border into our country are doing to our nation,” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said in a statement. “Last year, there were over 100,000 fentanyl overdose deaths.”

U.S. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said once the death investigation is complete, prosecutors will determine whether additional or amended charges are appropriate.

Carter is being held in the Putnam County Jail without bond and has an initial court date set for Wednesday.

Family and friends are still mourning Taylor’s death. Friends said she had a “heart of gold”, and we will miss him.

“It should have been him instead of Olivia, it should never have even happened in the first place,” said Olivia’s friend Victoria Allen. “It’s hard that she’s not here and I just wish she could come back.”

Olivia was laid to rest in a funeral on Monday afternoon.

Allen’s family insists they will keep an eye on Carter’s court hearing.

“Purely for Olivia,” said Victoria’s mother. “He was like one of my children, so it’s just to make sure Olivia gets justice.”

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