Houston police believe 12-year-old girl may have run away from home before her body was found in creek near West Rankin

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities are investigating the death of a young girl after her body was found Monday morning in a creek in the city’s north.

Houston Police Department investigators and Mayor John Whitmire held an evening news conference, where they said they had reason to believe the girl had sneaked out of her home Sunday night at 9 p.m. hours. She hadn’t been reported missing.

Authorities could only confirm that the 12-year-old victim was found in a creek in the 400 block of West Rankin Road around 6 a.m.

“Someone took one of our innocent children,” Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite said at the news conference. “We believe someone did this horrible thing to him, and we are here to ask for your help.”

“It makes me angry that there are dangerous criminals on the streets of Houston,” Whitmire added.

HPD said it was reviewing surveillance video to follow up on leads, calling the circumstances suspicious and saying it believed foul play was involved.

Police did not want to comment on the condition of the girl’s body. The medical examiner’s office is finalizing an official identification of the victim, but Satterwhite and Whitmire said they have spoken to the girl’s mother.

“Of course, she’s devastated. Her family is devastated. This little girl is gone,” Satterwhite said.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the girl’s death to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

WATCH: Houston Police, Mayor Whitmire Brief Media About Girl’s Death, Body in Creek

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