NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Police arrested the ex-boyfriend of the 19-year Staten Island girl found in shallow grave in the south Jersey Pinelands.
Thomas Paolino was arrested late Friday night on a warrant from New Jersey in connection with the disappearance and murder of Jessica Tush.
Paolino's lawyer, Joseph Sorrentino, told the Daily News that his client is innocent.
Tush's body was found by hikers Thursday morning. She had been missing since Wednesday and was last seen leaving her job at a clothing store at the Staten Island Mall.
There are indications she was strangled.
Her heartbroken mother choked back tears Friday as she spoke with reporters.
"They found my baby, it was too late, but at least I have her."
1010 WINS AUDIO: Terry Sheridan Reports
Tush was supposed to attend a wake for a friend who died in a car accident Wednesday night, but never made it.
Jessica's mother, Dina, reached out to her daughter's friends on her 'MySpace' page on Thursday with the following message.
"Jessica is missing. Jessica was last seen at BCBG at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2. She was supposed to go to AJ's Wake at Bedell. Did anyone see her there? Has any one seen her today or even yesterday? Please it is very important to get in touch with us immediately."
Hikers reported seeing a vehicle in a heavily wooded area in the Pine Barrens on Thursday morning and alerted police.
Photo from MySpace.com
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