Body Of Missing East Texas Girl Found In Well; Relative Held

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BULLARD, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Investigators say a 10-year-old East Texas girl reported missing from church has been found dead in a water well and a relative was held as the lone suspect in the slaying.

Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says firefighters Sunday recovered the body of Kayla Gomez-Orozco of Tyler from a well beside a home near Bullard. Smith says a male resident — the only suspect — was jailed without bond on a federal immigration hold.

Gustavo Zavala-Garcia is currently being held by authorities as the lone suspect in the 10-year-old's death. Zavala-Garcia's relationship to Kayla has not been released.

Kayla was last seen Tuesday night at a church in Bullard, 100 miles southeast of Dallas. Smith says the investigation led to the relative's home several miles away. The body was located Saturday.

The Amber Alert for the missing 10-year-old was discontinued Saturday evening after the discovery of the body.

FBI agents had recently called for the public's assistance in the search efforts and even offered a $60,000 reward for her return.

Smith declined to release a cause of death or a possible motive, pending charges.

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