The partner of Tia Sharp's grandmother has been charged with murder, as the 12-year-old's tearful mother left a moving tribute to her daughter.
Stuart Hazell, 37, will appear before magistrates tomorrow accused of killing Tia, who went missing in New Addington, near Croydon, more than a week ago.
Today, Tia's real mother Natalie Sharp, 30, sobbed uncontrollably and wept ‘my little girl’ as she left a card for her daughter outside their New Addington home.
The note she left read: "Our baby girl, we love you very much and always will. Sorry baby that this has happened, I wish I was there to protect you.
“We know you are safe now and you are at home with us everywhere we go. Love you, mum, dad, Jack and Harry xxx."
Tia’s biological father Steven Carter, 30, also laid a note alongside a yellow rose for his daughter.
It read: “My darling baby girl Tia. Daddy loves you dearly. I want you to stay safe in the arms of the angels. Love always. Daddy.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said that Hazell would appear via video link at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Tia's grandmother Christine Sharp has been released on bail following her arrest on suspicion of murder, Scotland Yard said.
Officers have also freed Sharp's next-door neighbour on bail pending further inquiries. Paul Meehan, 39, was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The Yard spokesman said: "Although officers await formal identification of a body found at 20 The Lindens on 10 August, the alleged victim is named on the charge as 12-year-old Tia Sharp.
"Two others arrested in connection with the inquiry are bailed to return to a south London police station on dates in October, pending further inquiries - a 46-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder and a 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender."
"The post-mortem examination is expected to restart at some point the coming week. The decision on when to recommence is one for the pathologist."
Police arrested the three suspects on Friday after investigators discovered a body inside the house Hazell shares with 46-year-old Sharp. The property was the last place where Tia was seen alive.
A massive manhunt was launched for Tia after she was reported missing by her family nine days ago. Around 100 police officers were involved in the search along with countless members of the local community, but it proved fruitless for the first week.
Despite visiting Sharp's terraced property four times, investigators only discovered the body on Friday and have since apologised to Tia's mother for not finding it sooner.
A manhunt for Hazell, who had previously been interviewed by police as a potential witness, was launched following the discovery. He was arrested hours later in the south London borough of Merton after apparently being spotted by a schoolgirl who had seen him buying alcohol in an off-licence.
Police have not revealed where the remains were discovered, but officers were seen taking a ladder into the property on Friday, sparking rumours that it might have been in the loft.
