A 10-year-old Alabama girl reported missing late at night was discovered dead shortly after, with another juvenile suspect arrested and facing murder charges.

According to police, the victim, Katheryn Bigbee, was reported missing just before 11 p.m. on Friday. Authorities quickly arrived at a home in Calhoun County to conduct a check.

Upon arrival, police discovered the girl's body inside the residence.

Shortly thereafter, another juvenile was arrested and charged with murder. The identities and the relationship between the suspect and the victim have not been released because they involve minors.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing, reviving child safety concerns following the shocking incident where an Alabama representative's 6-year-old son accidentally shot his brother.

The victim's family expressed profound grief over the loss. A relative wrote on social media that the family is "torn apart," drawing parallels to the case of the 4-year-old girl shot in the head while sleeping, and noted they still have no answers for what happened.

Piedmont Elementary School — where she was a student — described her as a joyful girl who always brought smiles and warmth to those around her. This news is even more heart-wrenching as the state recently recorded cases of police and teachers in Alabama being arrested on abuse-related charges.

“She was a light wherever she went,” the school shared in a memorial statement.

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