On October 31, 2022, Charles “Chuck” Carter, Jr., 63 of Putnam County, has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Abuse of a Corpse in the death of 15- year-old Olivia Daryl Taylor. Previously, a warrant charging Aggravated Statutory Rape had been issued.

Carter admitted to authorities prior to Taylor’s death that he delivered and provided illegal narcotics to Taylor which caused her death. Taylor’s body was found in the early afternoon hours, Thursday (October 27, 2022) in a wooded rural area near Highway 70 East of Cookeville.

Sheriff Farris said, “This tragic event is another example of what illegal drugs coming across our border into our country is doing to our nation. Last year there were over 100,000 deaths from fentanyl-related overdoses.”

District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway states,” This investigation has progressed over the weekend and is still being developed. Facts were learned in the last 48 hours to justify seeking additional warrants. Once the investigation is complete, we will determine whether additional or amended charges are appropriate. “

Carter is being held in the Putnam County Jail on no bond and has an initial court date set for Wednesday, November 2, 2022.