Jenise Wright Found Dead; Teen Neighbor Arrested In Seattle Girl's Killing

17 Year Old Neighbor Faces Murder, Rape Charges In 6-Year-Old's Death

By Kevin Murphy

Aug 9 (Reuters) - A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday on charges of second degree murder, manslaughter and rape in the death of a 6-year-old girl found near her home outside Seattle on Thursday, authorities said.

The arrest just before 3 p.m. came at the boy's residence in the same East Bremerton, Washington mobile home park where the girl, Jenise Wright, also lived, said Deputy Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office. The boy's name was not released, pending formal charges, Wilson said.

Sheriff's deputies and the FBI investigated the disappearance and death of the young girl, who has been missing since the night of Aug. 2 when she went to bed at home. She was reported missing by her parents the next day, triggering an extensive search and public outreach to help find her.

Jenise lived with her parents and six siblings. Two of her older siblings were removed from the home after she went missing because authorities found it prudent, Wilson said in an earlier interview, declining to elaborate. The suspect under arrest did not live in the Wright home, Wilson said

Authorities did not release details on how Jenise was killed, but said it likely happened on Sunday and the killer probably left the crime scene covered in mud. Jenise's home has been searched and investigators interviewed friends and neighbors, Wilson said. Police collected dozens of DNA samples from those who knew the girl. (Reporting by Kevin Murphy in Kansas City; Editing by David Gregorio)

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