A kid has been detained and charged with the death of a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl in a wooded area near her aunt’s home, with detectives claiming the suspect knew the victim.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm said the suspect was an adolescent known to the victim, Lily Peters, who was discovered in woods in Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, on Monday morning, close to the house of an aunt she’d been visiting before she went missing.
Kelm refused to reveal the boy’s age, the nature of his contact with Peters, or the circumstances that led to his detention. ‘While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or reverse what occurred, we are extremely appreciative to be able to give this news to the family and the community,’ Kelm said of the arrest.
Peters’ father reported her missing at 9 p.m. on Sunday night when she failed to get home. Peters’ family was only a short distance away from her aunt. The child was a fourth-grader at Parkview Elementary School in town.
More than 200 tips regarding the crime were received by the Chippewa Falls Police Department, which Kelm described as “vital” to the case.
Kelm announced the girl’s missing was being examined as a murder on Monday afternoon. The little girl’s corpse and bike were discovered near Leinenkugel’s Brewery. The coroner’s office is presently conducting an autopsy.
Kelm stated that police were following up various leads with about 20 offices collaborating with the examination. The police department will also increase the number of policemen stationed around local schools during drop-off and pick-up periods. As indicated by investigators, the child was last seen by relatives while visiting an aunt’s house near Chippewa Falls.
Chippewa Falls police enlisted the assistance of other organizations, including K9 groups and drone operators, to assist in the hunt. The chief stated that the search for Lily and the factors causing her demise were traumatic for everyone concerned.
Kelm was overcome with emotion when he revealed Peters’ death during the news conference. He added that as one would imagine, their first responders are very moved by anything that affects one of their children, so it is really tough for them, as well as the investigators.
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Holmes sent a letter home to families suggesting that children who usually walk to and from school ‘be picked up and dropped off by reliable family members or friends until further notice.
Their structures are on high alert; however, law enforcement has not shown the need to think about lockdown settings as of now. Holmes informed families that they feel it is vital for each one to know about what they may communicate at this time. They do not intend to publicly declare what occurred since they do not have access to those facts – they feel that law enforcement should be the ones to choose what and how much to communicate in that regard.
They also feel that parents ought to be the ones to communicate and share this awful occurrence with their children to the greatest degree feasible. However, they are aware that some of the pupils may be influenced, and that some of the students may engage in dialogues amongst themselves and with staff members. Cardinal Care counseling services are available to all students. Thank you for being so nice and compassionate to the student and the family at this difficult time.
May the girl’s soul rest in peace and may the family gather strength to bear this unimaginable loss.
