The man accused of killing his daughter and then killing her mother when she came to look for her, was formally indicted Thursday.
Ronkeya Holmes, 29, and her daughter 3-year-old Masarah Ross were reported missing in 2009. Their bodies were found in a shallow grave site in an orange grove near Winter Haven three days before Christmas 2010.
The leading suspect in the investigation was Ross, Masarah's dad, who was held without bond since 2010 for witness tampering.
Investigators say Lester Ross hid his daughter's body in a freezer after she died in his care in May 2009. When Ronkeya Holmes came looking for her daughter in October 2009, police say Ross poisoned her, then buried both bodies.
It took almost two years for investigators to positively identify the bodies, although police unofficially identified the bodies shortly after they were dug up.
Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester said he was sorry it had taken so long to identify the victims.
"We certainly apologize to the family. I know their heart has been torn out for the last two years,” he said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it couldn't locate dental records for Ronkeya Holmes and 3-year-old Masarah Ross had never been to the dentist.
"Our hearts go out to the family. We apologize for the delay. But ultimately I think they understand we have to do what we have to do to make sure we get a conviction in this case,” he said.
Because dental records couldn't be used to identify the bodies, the skeletal remains were sent to a Human Identification Lab for extensive DNA testing.
Their bodies are being returned to their home in Georgia, so their family can finally give them a proper burial.
Lester Ross Jr. is charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and first degree murder. The state attorney has not announced if they will seek the death penalty.