Willow Long Murder: Uncle to be charged with murder after 7-year-old niece found dead, report says

(CBS) EFFINGHAM, Ill. -- Prosecutors in southern Illinois say they will file murder charges against the uncle of 7-year-old Willow Long. The girl's body was discovered Monday night in Watson.

Justin DeRyke, 22, Long's maternal uncle, was babysitting for the girl when she died, reports CBS affiliate KMOX. Dale DeRyke, the murder suspect's father, told the station that his son was playing with the girl when she ran outside and fell onto a stick that went through her neck. 

He reportedly said his son panicked and hid Long's body in a river bed several miles from her home.

Volunteers discovered the body around 7:30 p.m. Monday, and Justin DeRyke was reportedly arrested around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Additional charges could be filed later, prosecutors told the station.

DeRyke's first court appearance is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, reports the station.

Long's mother reportedly said she saw the girl watching television Sunday morning. She said her daughter disappeared while she was taking a nap later that day.

Officials say an autopsy confirmed the body was Long, but they haven't released a cause of death.