Houston police investigate body of 12-year-old girl discovered in north Houston creek Monday – Houston Public Media

Houston police are asking anyone with information about the body of a 12-year-old girl found in shallow water in north Houston early Monday to come forward.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the girl’s death and searching for the attacker responsible. Investigators believe the girl sneaked out of her family’s home around 10 p.m. on Sunday, hours before her body was found in a nearby creek at 400 West Rankin Road.

Lt. Stephen Hope said detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s departure from her home and are reviewing surveillance video of the incident. A dive team was dispatched to investigate the scene where she was discovered around 6 a.m. Monday.

“Any time a body is found in a body of water, we call a dive team,” Hope said. “This was shallow water, but their experience is to go in and make sure that not only the body is found, but any other evidence in that body of water is found as well.”

Hope would not elaborate on the condition of the girl’s body when it was found or what injuries she may have sustained before her death. He said investigators are not yet sure if she died where her body was found or if she communicated with anyone the night she sneaked away. The girl was never reported missing.

During the press conference, police did not release the girl’s name but described her as white.

“We ask anyone with knowledge or information about this incident to call and help our investigators find the perpetrator,” Hope said at a press conference Monday evening.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said he attended the police press conference on Monday out of concern for the family and to support police.

“We re-arrest repeat offenders in violent cases far too often, but we will not rest, and this is an example of why public safety will continue to be our highest priority during my tenure and as we work with HPD,” Whitmire said.

“We need additional staff,” he said. “HPD is far too thinly staffed. Houston Fire is far too thinly staffed. Public safety will continue to be my highest priority.”

Hope said anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS or the police homicide unit at 713-308-3600.