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Maddie Clifton 1990-1998

Maddie Clifton JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The tragic story of Maddie Clifton began on election night in November of 1998. That night her family reported her missing from her home on the Southside. A week later, a shaken Sheriff Nat Glover announced police found her body under her teen neighbor's waterbed.

In this special section, you will find links to a collection of reports by First Coast News reporters, from the days strangers searched for her, to the day a jury convicted Josh Phillips of murder. Be sure to visit the Memories of Maddie to leave your memories of a young murder victim who became known as Jacksonville's Little Angel.


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Reporter Calls Phillips Surprising

Reporter Calls Phillips Surprising

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- When I learned Paul Pinkham of our news partner the Florida Times Union had an exclusive interview with Maddie Clifton's killer, Josh Phillips, I knew I wanted to speak with him.

Maddie's Friends Mark the Anniversary of Her Death

Maddie's Friends Mark the Anniversary of Her Death

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- To mark the 10-year anniversary of Maddie Clifton's death, friends visited her gravesite Monday.

Joshua Phillips Tells His Story from Prison

Joshua Phillips Tells His Story from Prison

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The teen convicted of killing Maddie Clifton is talking behind bars.

Joshua Phillips Wants a New Trial

Joshua Phillips Wants a New Trial

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The sister of murder victim Maddie Clifton tells First Coast News anchor Donna Deegan the killing of her brother took time to sink in.

Leave Your Memories of Maddie

Leave Your Memories of Maddie

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Maddie Clifton's murder made international headlines.  Where were you when you found out?  Leave your memories of Maddie inside.

First Coast News Staffers Remember Covering Maddie Clifton

First Coast News Staffers Remember Covering Maddie Clifton

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The story of Maddie Clifton impacted those covering the case.  Read their stories inside.

Missy Phillips Tries to Cross Bridge of Sorrow

Missy Phillips Tries to Cross Bridge of Sorrow

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The mother of the boy who murdered 8-year old Maddie Clifton 10 years ago is still coping with the tragedy.

Maddie's Mother and Sister Remember

Maddie's Mother and Sister Remember

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The sound of the water.  The wind through the grass.  It's far from the place that brought Sheila Clifton so much pain.

Joshua Phillips Wants a New Trial

Joshua Phillips Wants a New Trial

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Joshua Phillips, the teen convicted of killing his young neighbor Maddie Clifton, wants a new trial.

Lights for Maddie Clifton

Lights for Maddie Clifton

 JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Two years after Maddie's murder, neighbors went door to door to Light up Jacksonville.

Maddie Clifton: 1 Year Later

Maddie Clifton: 1 Year Later

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Maddie Clifton's grave continues to draw visitors, one year after her murder.

Joshua Phillips Convicted of Maddie's Murder

Joshua Phillips Convicted of Maddie's Murder

BARTOW, FL -- A jury convicts Josh Phillips of the first-degree murder of his neighbor, Maddie Clifton.

Joshua Phillips Trial Begins in Bartow

Joshua Phillips Trial Begins in Bartow

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The trial of Joshua Phillips began in Bartow, hundreds of miles away from here a city searched for Maddie Clifton.

Maddie's Murder: 8 Months Later

Maddie's Murder: 8 Months Later

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Eight months after the murder of Maddie Clifton, the numbness remained in her old neighborhood.

Maddie Clifton Murder Trial Moved to Bartow

Maddie Clifton Murder Trial Moved to Bartow

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A judge moved the murder trial of Joshua Phillips to a tiny town in central Florida due to pre-trial publicity.

Jury will Hear Confession from Joshua Phillips

Jury will Hear Confession from Joshua Phillips

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Relief in the courtroom as family members learned a reported confession by Joshua Phillips will be heard at his trial.

Hundreds Mourn Maddie Clifton

Hundreds Mourn Maddie Clifton

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Hundreds lined the streets of Jacksonville to say a final farewell to Jacksonville's Little Angel, Maddie Clifton.

Joshua Phillips Arraigned on Murder Charges

Joshua Phillips Arraigned on Murder Charges

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A young Joshua Phillips, wearing an orange jump suit and shackles, appeared before a judge to face charges in the murder of Maddie Clifton.

Sheriff Glover Explains How Maddie Died

Sheriff Glover Explains How Maddie Died

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Sheriff Nat Glover went through the gruesome details of how Maddie Clifton died in her neighbor's home.

Police Arrest Joshua Phillips at School

Police Arrest Joshua Phillips at School

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- 14-year-old Joshua Phillips helped his neighbors search for young Maddie Clifton.

Maddie's Neighbors Stunned by the Shocking News

Maddie's Neighbors Stunned by the Shocking News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Neighbors, family and strangers who had spent hours searching for Maddie Clifton, went numb when police broke the tragic news.

Maddie Found Dead Under Teen's Waterbed

Maddie Found Dead Under Teen's Waterbed

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The announcement brought Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover to tears.

Maddie Clifton Disappears

Maddie Clifton Disappears

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Maddie Clifton, an eight-year-old girl from Jacksonville, disappeared from her home on the Southside on November 3, 1998.

Maddie Clifton: A Timeline of Tragedy

Maddie Clifton: A Timeline of Tragedy

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The tragic story of Maddie Clifton began on election night in November of 1998.

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