Teen 'Just Wanted to Be in Love for Christmas,' Says Mom — But Classmate She Had a Crush on Is Now Accused of Killing Her (Exclusive) By KC Baker

Danika Troy had romance on her mind when she snuck out of her Florida home on a recent Sunday night to meet a boy from school.

The 14-year-old had no idea of the nightmare that awaited her.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, authorities announced that Danika’s body had been found in a wooded area in Pace, not far from the home she shared with her mother, Ashley Troy, and her 8-year-old sister.

Two boys, ages 14 and 16 — the latter of whom Danika had a crush on — allegedly lured her to the desolate spot, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson told reporters at a press conference that day.

“This is where it gets really horrific,” Johnson told reporters.

“The 16-year-old…stole his mother’s handgun and shot Danika Troy,” Johnson alleged.

“It’s bad enough you kill a 14-year-old,” said Johnson. “You’re 14. You’re 16. They shot her multiple times then they set her on fire.”

Johnson said authorities are unsure about a possible motive.

But Ashley Troy filled in the blanks, telling PEOPLE, “She thought she was sneaking out to spend time with the boy she loved,” referring to the 16-year-old suspect.

“She was currently grounded for doing the same thing. Kids just don’t think about consequences. She trusted him. It wasn’t hard to lure her. He had her heart. She would do anything for him.”

On Monday, Dec. 1, Ashley reported her daughter missing.

“She was gone before I woke up,” she says.

She says she thought Danika would be home soon. “I thought he was hiding her to be together,” she says  

“I had no idea those boys could do this,” she says.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE‘s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

While Danika thought she had found true love, Ashley claims the 16-year-old boy thought differently.

“He led her on for three months,” she says.

Ashley was in shock when she learned the barbaric way her daughter was killed.

“I’m a mess,” she says.

Danika’s younger sister is trying to cope with the fact that her big sister is gone.

“She’s just numb,” Ashley says. “Her sister adored her.”

Ashley says she is planning to attend a candlelight vigil for Danika on Monday, Dec. 8, near Pace.

She says she is grateful for the support she has received from a friend who started a GoFundMe to help her defray Danika’s funeral costs and from the community, especially her church.

“My church has been handling everything (and) surrounding us with love and support,” she says.

Ashley says she still cannot believe her daughter is dead.

“She just wanted to be in love for Christmas,” she says. “She was innocent and just wanted to be loved.”

She adds: “Jesus has her now.”