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FORESTVILLE, Md. - Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old District Heights woman.
Sources say they arrested 20-year-old Bernard Bellamy in West Virginia around 3 a.m. Monday morning. Bellamy's father said his son is a sophomore at West Virginia State University and had been high school sweethearts with the victim.
The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Valicia Andrea Demery of the 2000 block of Addison Road in District Heights. Her body was discovered by a citizen who was using the Forestville Military Academy school track around 6 a.m. Sunday.
Police say Demery suffered extensive trauma to her upper body and that her body had repeatedly been run over by a car. She was pronounced dead on the scene. The school is located in the 7000 block of Beltz Drive in Forestville.
Demery's father Garrett says that she left the family home around 4 a.m. Sunday, less than three hours before her body was found.
"Why would you do this to a young, 19-year-old girl trying to live, [hasn't] even experienced life yet -- I mean, why would you do this?" asked Garrett Demery.
Mr. Demery says his daughter was five months pregnant and loved ones say they believe that had something to do with her murder. She graduated from Forestville Military Academy.
"She was nice, she would do anything for you. At the same time, she was her own person, she was strong -- strong personality, strong will," said Demery's friend Matthew Cheatham. "I just wish we could say goodbye to her."
"Turn yourself in or whatever," Garret Demery said. "How can you live like that? How can you go on with your life when you know you just killed somebody?"
Investigators say they found tire marks and fibers from Demery's turquoise dress near the body.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George 's County Police Department's Homicide Unit at (301) 772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text "PGPD plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to
www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online. A cash reward is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspect(s).
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