First, I do not think he will get off. Ohio has charged him with 1st degree murder, and he has confessed. My guess, and it is just that...a guess, is that he confessed in exchange for the DP to taken off the table once he found out he would face charges in Ohio for the murder, instead of in WV where there is no DP.
My heart also breaks for her family. They are going through something no parent should have to. I agree that the entire craigslist information should not have been released, at least until her trial. It does not change the facts, and those are he killed a child. Muddying up her name, does not change or justify his actions. It also breaks my heart that her family are having so much trouble raising the money to bury her. I wish they'd make a post in their group asking people for help, but so far they have not.
As to the date of her death, I would guess he watched her body sink. So how long after death is it before the body fills with gases and rises again? Add to that the water rising, and then receding, which it had to do for that block to be stuck in the mud, and for her body to be on the river bank. I think her physical description has a lot to do with the assumptions right away that it was her. She was 5'10' and 100 pds, plus her long blonde hair. For the family to be notified as quickly as they were, that indicates to me that she still had to be recognizable. ( I could be wrong, they may have based it off her height and hair) I am anxious for them to release the motive the accused gave for killing this child. I'm also curious as to the cause of death.
I think, and this is JMOO, the police released all the information because so many people were accusing them of not doing anything to try to save her. As much as I'd like to agree with that, I feel that in this case they actually were working hard and making all attempts to save her. It is hard to tell how many pedophiles answered her ad. I am not saying or even implying she had sex with everyone who answered her ad, but the police had to track them all down. They obtained a warrant as soon as he ran, and they conducted a very active search for him. I am sure the parents will never feel as if LE did enough, then again, I am not sure any parent ever feels as if enough was done when a child is not found safe. I was very impressed by the fathers plea to other parents.
Craigslist is no place for a child. It is not even a place that is safe for an adult. Doesn't anybody remember the Craigslist killer? How many people have to die from their ads, before somebody shuts them down. Below are only a few of the reasons why Craigslist should not be allowed to operate any longer. Kids like Ericka, are another reason.
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2021502919_apuspregnantwomanheroinhomicide.html
http://q13fox.com/2014/08/26/man-wife-plead-guilty-to-thrill-killing-of-man-they-met-via-craigslist/
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201407/craigslist-killers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772373/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cops-michigan-teen-held-captive-by-craigslist-killer-before-death/