Leppert was arrested with her 22-year-old boyfriend Toby Lowry earlier this month in El Paso, Texas. Investigators say Leppert and Lowry beat, suffocated and stabbed James Stewart, 66, inside his Melrose home in late April.

The couple is then accused of stealing Stewart's pickup truck and driving to Texas.

Leppert was brought back to Florida Friday morning to face a count of murder. After a brief court appearance, the 15-year-old was placed into juvenile justice custody.

Lowry remains locked up without bond in Putnam County. In addition to the murder charge, the 22-year-old is also charged with grand theft auto and interfering with a child's custody.

The State Attorney's Office in Putnam County has not said whether or not Leppert will be tried as an adult, though Sheriff Dean Kelly told WOKV he hopes the girl is treated as an adult.