Rankin Road death: Body of 12-year-old girl found in creek, police asking for help
HOUSTON - The Houston Police Department needs your help finding the person or persons involved after the body of a 12-year-old girl was found in a creek on Monday morning.
Authorities said the discovery was made around 6 a.m. in the 400 block of West Rankin Road.
Officials said a citizen called 911 and reported seeing a body in a bayou.
Dive teams were called in to recover the body of the 12-year-old girl out of the shallow water.
Authorities said the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an investigation to determine what happened to the little girl.
Officials said they believe the 12-year-old girl snuck out of an apartment complex near Rankin Road anytime after 10 p.m. on Sunday and her body was discovered.
Authorities said family members did not know she was leaving the house and that she was not reported missing.
Police said surveillance video in the area has been obtained, and they are working to review it at this time.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who was in attendance at the news conference, said he spoke with the little girl's mother who was "devastated," and asked the community to keep the family in their prayers.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Houston police at (713) 308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.