On Monday night, Celina’s mother, Louisia Cass, spoke exclusively with News 9’s Amy Coveno, who has been covering this case from the start.

Advertisement Mother of girl found dead in 2011 speaks about ex-husband's arrest Wendell Noyes charged in death of Celina Cass Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The stepfather of an 11-year-old girl who was found dead in 2011 has been charged with her murder.Click to watch News 9's coverage.The Attorney General's Office confirmed Monday that Wendell Noyes, 52, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Celina Cass. The girl's body was found in the Connecticut River days after she disappeared from her home in West Stewartstown on July 25, 2011.Watch: Stepfather charged in 2011 death of Celina CassCelina was last seen using a family computer at her home -- which burned down in December 2013 -- the night she disappeared.More than 100 people joined the search. New Hampshire State Police and the FBI were called in, and missing posters were put up to aid the search.Investigators said Wendell Noyes caused the girl's death by submerging her in the river.Celina's body was found on Aug. 1, 2011, wrapped in a blanket near a dam in the river about a half-mile from her home.A few days later, investigators took Wendell Noyes’ pickup truck.An arrest warrant for Wendell Noyes was issued Monday, and officials said he will be arraigned at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Berlin Circuit Court.The Attorney General’s Office said the case remained active since Celina was reported missing.Former Senior Assistant Attorney General Kirsten Wilson, who is a former homicide investigator, shared her perspective with News 9’s Jean Mackin on the arrest.Watch: Former homicide investigator shares perspective on 2011 murder caseWilson said it’s no surprise that investigators kept this case open and active.In February, the state police major crime unit visited the mobile home where Wendell Noyes was living.“It’s a knowing mental state. It also can be charged as recklessly committing the act with extreme indifference to the value of human life,” said Wilson.Wilson said more information about the investigation will be revealed in court proceedings, such as how an arrest was made nearly five years later.“It is not uncommon to have a case open that long to go unsolved, but to have charges come forward is a testament to both the Attorney General’s Office and the state police,” said Wilson.“ a sigh of relief for the North Country, for the small town she was from, for Celina’s family,” said Wilson.On Monday night, Celina’s mother, Louisia Cass, spoke exclusively with News 9’s Amy Coveno, who has been covering this case from the start.Watch: Louisia Cass speaks to News 9 about arrest in daughter's murder“Why? That word, 'why' has run through my head for the last five years. Why would anyone want to go and take my baby girl away from me?” said Cass.After Celina’s murder, the tiny community near the Canadian border rallied around Cass, joining her in calling for justice.Investigators knocked on Cass’ door, telling her the news she has waited and prayed over for five years.“We went out back, and they asked if I could sit down and talk with them. I said, ‘Yep.’ We sat down they said ‘We are going to arrest Wendell today for the murder of Celina,’” said Cass.She, along with other members of the community, said that they knew it was Wendell Noyes all along and that they are relieved that he is in custody.Cass said her life took a dark turn when her daughter disappeared. She divorced Wendell Noyes after nine months of marriage and said she yearned for closure that only an arrest could bring.“’Don’t give up, Louisia. Don’t give up, Louisia.’” I could hear her saying, ‘Mommy, don’t give up on me,’” she said.Cass said Celina was a mama’s girl, attached to her mother’s side -- even at home.The night Celina disappeared, mom and daughter were watching television together before Cass went up to bed. She never saw her 11-year-old daughter alive again.“What did I ever do wrong or my kids do wrong to have that done?” said Cass. “To have someone tell you your child is gone and never coming home.”Cass has not seen her ex-husband since Celina’s death, but she said she’ll be in court tomorrow to see him face the crime that she has suspected he committed for years.She said she hopes Wendell Noyes will be there in person, and in handcuffs.“I want him to rot so bad,” said Cass.Celina’s mother took a 3 1/2-hour lie detector test as part of the investigation.Wendell Noyes spoke exclusively to News 9 in 2011, insisting that he had nothing to do with his stepdaughter’s death.“I care. And I’d like to know who…. Who’s responsible? Who killed her? Somebody killed her. I haven’t got a clue. And I can search you right in the eyes and tell you the truth. I haven’t got a clue,” said Wendell Noyes.News 9 was the only news outlet to interview every person inside the home the night that Celina disappeared.Wendell Noyes’ mother, Eunice, was sleeping upstairs the night that Celina disappeared, and she said she didn’t hear anything that night.She told News 9 on Monday that she didn’t believe her son killed Celina.Eunice Noyes also told News 9 that her son had recently been a patient at the New Hampshire Hospital in Concord.Family friend Kevin Mullaney told News 9 that he was out the night of Celina’s disappearance, driving around town with a friend. He is now in prison on an unrelated weapons forgery conviction.