Carlie Brucia's father endorses backpack that has alarm
Carlie Brucia's father endorses backpack that has alarm SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- The father of an 11-year-old girl who was abducted and killed is encouraging children to wear backpacks that come with an alarm. Joe Brucia, the father of slain Carlie Brucia, is endorsing the backpack, which sets off an alarm for up to five hours once an emergency cord is pulled. The Carlie Security Backpack is being marketed by EDCO Innovations Inc. of Olympia Fields, Ill. Joe Brucia told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that when his daughter was abducted last year, "300 feet away there were four golfers with their backs to her." The abduction was captured by a car wash surveillance camera. "Even if it saves one life, it would be worth it," Brucia told the newspaper for a story in Friday's editions. "Kids need backpacks anyway. Why not have one that has a safety feature?" The nylon backpack has two 130-decibel sirens plus a high-intensity strobe light. It can be purchased on the manufacture's Web site for $69.99 plus shipping. There is a deluxe model, the Guardian Backpack, made of leather for $179. Brucia says the money he gets from his endorsement will be used to pay for expenses from Carlie's case or to increase the Carlie Brucia Rescue Fund. Joseph P. Smith is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and capital sexual battery in the case. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, but he has pleaded not guilty. Trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 7. --- On the Net: Carlie Security Backpacks: http://www.carliesecuritybackpacks.com/csb/home.html Guardian Backpacks: http://www.guardianbackpacks.com/index.html --- AP News