Ahlittia North, Missing New Orleans Girl, Found Dead In Dumpster 3 Days After Vanishing (UPDATE)

A 6-year-old girl who went missing last week was found dead in a Dumpster early Tuesday morning near the apartment complex where she lived.

Louisiana police say that Ahlittia North was last seen by her mother and stepfather when they put her to bed around 11 p.m. Friday night, WWLTV reports.

The next day, North -- along with her blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste -- were gone.

Lisa North, who reported her daughter missing, was contacted by authorities Tuesday around 1 a.m., shortly after the girl's body was discovered.

"I didn't think they were going to tell me she was dead," North, 20, told the Times-Picayune.

On Monday, authorities with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office identified 20-year-old Matthew Flugence as a "person of interest." Flugence is a relative of North, WDSU reports.

Neighbors began leaving teddy bears and lighting candles at a vigil early Tuesday.

UPDATE - July 17, 2013: Police have arrested a suspect in the murder of 6-year-old Ahlittia North, WDSU reported. Matthew Flugence, who reportedly babysat the girl on several occasions, was taken into custody without incident.