Jacksonville police: Grandmother's remains positively identified

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the remains of Kristina French have been positively identified by the medical examiner.

The attorney for 15-year-old Logan Mott, who is a person of interest in the killing of his grandmother, told Action News Jax that Mott is being held at an Erie County youth detention facility.

Attorney Dominic Saraceno said Logan adamantly denies any involvement in his grandmother's death and is very upset.

Saraceno is asking the public "not to jump to any conclusions or rush to judgment until a thorough investigation is complete."

Logan was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as near the Canada-Buffalo, N.Y. border after JSO found the remains of his grandmother's body in his father's Neptune Beach backyard.

MORE: Teen in custody made wrong turn on bridge to Canada, police say | Mom of missing teen: 'We are relieved he is safe and in custody'

Logan and his grandmother were announced missing and in danger late Wednesday night after  Logan's father, Eric Mott, got back to Jacksonville after a vacation with his girlfriend.

They took an Uber home from the airport Wednesday after French didn't show up to get them.

Police said when they got home, the door to their Seagate Avenue home was open and the house was ransacked.

Logan is a freshman at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville.

French worked for the May Institute. The organization released a statement Friday after news of her death was announced:

"We are truly devastated to learn the tragic news of Kristina French’s death. Kristina has been an employee of May Institute – a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with autism and other special needs – for more than four years, serving as Director of Operations in our Florida office.

Kristina was a friend and role model to so many people. The emails and messages over the past few days are a testament to how she touched others. Her staff cared deeply about her, and she was well-loved by the individuals we serve. She was a true champion for people with disabilities and advocated tirelessly for human rights. Kristina was funny and had a big heart. She cast a positive light on every situation. She would help anyone, and she did it with her beautiful smile and positive attitude. Kristina completely devoted herself to her family, her friends, and her work.

We have lost a beautiful person and she will be dearly missed. It is a very sad day. We send prayers and condolences to all who loved her."

Carrie Campbell-Mott, Logan's mother, has been very active on social media during the search and investigation.

"Mmy instinct as a mother is that there was an accident, a diabetic episode, a natural cause and Logan psychologically broke and was terrified," she told Action News Jax.

Cox Media Group