Boy, 14, is arrested after missing girl, 6, is found dead in woods near her Indiana home less than two hours after she disappeared

 A 14-year-old boy has been arrested following the death of a six-year-old girl in New Carlisle, Indiana.

The boy, who was not named by officials because he is a minor, is considered a suspect in the girl's death, WSBT said.

The girl, Grace Ross, was found dead around 8:25pm on Friday, less than two hours after she was reported missing by her family at 6:30pm.

According to the South Bend Tribune, the investigation into Grace's death is open and active and an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.

A neighbor who has lived near the family for 40 years said everyone is shocked by Grace's death.

'Right at your back door, you just don't anticipate anything like that ever happening in your area,' Kim Huston told WSBT.


'You don't realize in a moment's notice, somebody realizing that their child's gone and then have to hear what had happened at such a young age, it's horrific.

It's not clear what led to Grace's death
An autopsy was scheduled to take place Sunday

It's not clear what led to Grace's death, but an autopsy was scheduled to take place on Sunday

The six-year-old's body was found in a wooded area near an apartment block in New Carlisle (pictured)

The six-year-old's body was found in a wooded area near an apartment block in New Carlisle (pictured)

A vigil was held for the young girl in Memorial Park on Sunday with around 50 people gathering in her memory

A vigil was held for the young girl in Memorial Park on Sunday with around 50 people gathering in her memory

Grace's aunt Nicole Ross set up a fundraiser on Facebook for funeral expenses, which has raised over $21,000 so far. The fundraiser is aiming for $30,000.

'My darling 6 year old niece Grace Ross passed away yesterday,' the fundraiser stated. 'She is now an angel in heaven.'

A candlelight vigil was held at Memorial Park in New Carlisle on Sunday evening, where friends, family and neighbors gathered in Grace's memory, ABC57 reported.

'Grace was loved by everybody and she was friends with everybody,' Michelle Ross, Grace's mother, said at the vigil, according to the South Bend Tribune.


Grace's grandmother Kelli Howard (pictured) was emotional as she held a picture of her granddaughter and her toy

Grace's grandmother Kelli Howard (pictured) was emotional as she held a picture of her granddaughter and her toy

Family, friends and neighbors offered tributes to Gracie with poignant messages at the vigil

Family, friends and neighbors offered tributes to Gracie with poignant messages at the vigil

Grace's aunt Nicole Ross (pictured) set up a fundraiser on Facebook for funeral expenses, which has raised over $21,000 so far

Grace's aunt Nicole Ross (pictured) set up a fundraiser on Facebook for funeral expenses, which has raised over $21,000 so far

'She would go up to a stranger on the street and be like, 'Hi, I'm Grace and I'm six.''

'Her smile even showed on her mask,' said Tara Bush, the principal of the elementary school Grace attended. 'You could tell she was smiling all the time.'

More than 200 people attended the vigil, placing candles, flowers, and stuffed animals in a gazebo and on a park bench. 

More than 200 people attended the vigil, placing candles, flowers, and stuffed animals in a gazebo and on a park bench

More than 200 people attended the vigil, placing candles, flowers, and stuffed animals in a gazebo and on a park bench

Many were emotional as they paid tribute to the young girl in a poignant ceremony on Sunday

Many were emotional as they paid tribute to the young girl in a poignant ceremony on Sunday

Boy, 14, is arrested after missing girl, 6, is found dead in woods near her Indiana home less than two hours after she disappeared Boy, 14, is arrested after missing girl, 6, is found dead in woods near her Indiana home less than two hours after she disappeared Reviewed by Your Destination on March 15, 2021 Rating: 5

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