Sources: 12-year-old girl found in stream was sexually abused

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Test results show the 12-year-old girl who was murdered after sneaking out of her bedroom was sexually abused.

This is according to sources from our news partners.

Jocelyn Nungaray’s body was discovered in a creek in the Greenspoint area last month. Court documents say she had been strangled.

Two men are already on trial for capital crimes in connection with Nungaray’s death. The sexual assault finding is significant because it means prosecutors can now seek the death penalty.

Venezuelan citizens Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, are being held on $10 million bail each at the Harris County Jail in Houston. The two men were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol near El Paso earlier this year after entering the country without papers. Both were released and given summons to appear in court at a later date.

Prosecutors say Martinez-Rangel and Peña Ramos lured the girl under a bridge and stayed with her there for more than two hours. They say the defendants removed her pants, tied her up and killed her before dumping her body in the creek.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.