Autumn Pasquale's mother says daughter was treated like "piece of trash"

(CBS/AP) CLAYTON, N.J. - The mother of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale, a New Jersey girl who was strangled and dumped in a recycling bin, said Wednesday that the teenage brothers accused of killing her had treated her daughter "like a piece of trash."

Pictures: Body of missing NJ girl found

The arrests came Tuesday after police searched the home of the boys, age 15 and 17, and found the bike Pasquale had been riding and other possessions she had with her when she disappeared over the weekend.

In their first interview since their daughter's body was found, her parents, Jennifer Cornwell and Anthony Pasquale, talked about how strong their daughter was and the horrible ending to her life.

"She was a tough girl, a tough cookie," Cornwell said.

Pasquale said he knew the family of the boys arrested in the death, saying that "everybody knows everybody," in the town of 8,000.

The parents said they had been overwhelmed by the support from the community and the donations they have received, and knew their daughter would want them to stay strong.

Funeral services were set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Glassboro, following a public viewing set to start at 8 a.m.

Because the brothers were charged as juveniles, authorities have not made their names public. They are expected in court for a detention hearing Friday. Gloucester county Prosecutor Sean Dalton said it is likely he will ask that the case be moved to adult court, where all the proceedings would be public.

The teens were charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, disposing of a body, tampering with evidence and theft. The younger boy also was charged with luring.

Dalton said the 15-year-old persuaded the bike-obsessed Autumn to come to his home so they could trade BMX bike parts, and that the brothers stole her prized bike, but he would not discuss a possible motive for the killing.

Complete coverage of Autumn Pasquale on Crimesider