Arrest made in death of 11-year-old New Jersey girl

KEANSBURG, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Police in New Jersey have made an arrest in the homicide of an 11-year-old girl who was found dead Thursday morning after being reported missing the previous evening.

Authorities say Andreas Erazo is charged in the death of AbbieGail Smith, whose body was discovered behind the Hancock Street Apartments complex in Keansburg, where she lived with her family.

WABC-TV reports, Smith had last been seen in her family's Keansburg apartment around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday and was reported missing about an hour later.

Officials say her remains were found with the help of police K-9s, near what is being described as a large container, around 10:45 a.m.

Investigators have not said what connection, if any, Erazo has with Smith. They say her family had nothing to do with her murder.

Police have also not said how AbbieGail died or the nature of her injuries.

A candlelight vigil was held in memory of AbbieGail on Thursday night.

Keansburg school superintendent John Niesz issued the following statement after the discovery:

The Keansburg School community suffered a tragic loss on July 13, 2017 when Bolger Middle School student AbbieGail Smith age 11 died. It is a very sad day for our school district. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Keansburg School community go out to the Smith family. AbbieGail was a wonderful young girl who was a Titan through and through. She will be greatly missed by the entire Keansburg School District family, especially her friends and teachers.

Keansburg School District will provide grief counselors at Bolger Middle School to help students deal with their thoughts and feelings associated with the loss of AbbieGail.

We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of AbbieGail Smith. Please keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers.

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