Tearful thanks

Criminal charges will be filed today against Craig Roger Gregerson, accused of kidnapping and killing 5-year-old Destiny Norton.

Assistant Salt Lake County District Attorney Bob Stott said the announcement would be made by midmorning. Prosecutors would not say what the charges will be, but it is expected to include murder and child kidnapping.

"We're still screening the case," said Stott, who will prosecute the case. Police detectives met with prosecutors Wednesday afternoon to go over evidence.

Anticipation of the charges came as Destiny's parents gave a tearful and heartfelt thank-you to law enforcement and the community that helped search for their little girl.

"I want to say thanks to everybody for showing their support," Destiny's father, Ricky Norton, said. "I want to thank the FBI and the police. The simple fact of the matter is, they're the ones who brought my baby home."

Destiny's father buried his head in his wife's lap as he sobbed. Rachael Norton is 8 1/2 months pregnant with their third child, whom Destiny had named "Fate."

"We greatly appreciate everything that has been done for our family and in finding our little girl," she said. "We got our child back."

Outside Destiny's home, a shrine continued to grow for the little girl with the streaks of green in her blond hair and a cheery smile of silver-capped teeth. Flowers, balloons, cards, poems and stuffed animals were placed around two trees in the front yard. One card addressed Destiny simply as "Salt Lake City's Sweetheart."

Dozens of candles burned in front of a flier memorializing Destiny.

"God bless you all!" a woman said as she walked away from the shrine. Many of the people who live in Destiny's home sat on the front porch, consoling each other.

Family friends say Ricky and Rachael Norton will not be coming back to the house. They are too grief-stricken to return to the place where their daughter disappeared, only to be found dead two doors away.

"They're not going to ever come back to this," said Jody Emery, another of Destiny's uncles.

Over the coming weeks, their belongings will be moved out of the house they shared with several others who lived on the streets for a time. They shared the house to save on rent and to bring themselves up in the world forming their own "family."

In the back yard

Salt Lake City police said the barefoot little girl was lured behind Gregerson's apartment and into his back door when she stepped outside her home July 16.

Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks, led a Deseret Morning News reporter into the back yard behind Gregerson's apartment, showing how the suspect may have lured the girl into his home. It is a small dirt area, enclosed by fences. A barbecue and small table are nearby.