Deputies: Toddlers led way to body in house

A body was found at a house in Pine Hills after a pair of small children were seen wandering alone in the area Friday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said. The agency said deputies were called to Pipes O the Glen Way after the children, ages 2 and 3, were seen by a passerby, who approached them; they led the person to a nearby house.

That’s where the body of a female victim was found, officials said. She has been identified as Denise Hayes, 41.

Sheriff’s spokesman Jeff Williamson said there was obvious trauma to the body and the death is considered a homicide, but declined to say how she died.

Deputies have identified the suspect as Bobby Lee Story, 52, Hayes’ boyfriend, who has a history of domestic violence against her. He remains at large. Deputies say he may be armed.

Neighbor Keywanda Searcy said she was backing out of her driveway when she saw the passerby helping the kids. She saw neighbors take the kids to the home.

“She [the neighbor] ran across the street and grabbed her phone,” she said. “I went over there and she told me the little boy said ‘Bobby stabbed my mom.’ ”

Williamson said the children were believed to be in good health and were being cared for by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Their relationship to the victim was unclear. He said the house was vacant — empty except for the victim’s body.

Searcy said the previous tenants moved out at the end of last month. Workers were fixing up the home until earlier this week, she said.

A Crimeline bulletin says anyone with information on Story’s whereabouts is eligible for a $5,000 reward; officials ask that tipsters call Crimeline at 407-423-8477.