SALT LAKE CITY – Police are investigating the death of a 6-year-old girl found dead in a Salt Lake City suburb canal and say she was sexually assaulted.
West Jordan police say they've officially ruled the death of Sierra Newbold a homicide after an autopsy Wednesday.
Police Sgt. Drew Sanders says a family member reported the girl missing about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Officers who responded found the child dead in a nearby canal a short time later.
The girl's grandfather Reed Newbold says her mother found her missing from her bedroom and the parents "are devastated."
Sanders said the police department has received numerous tips in the case but declined to release details.
He said it's "paramount" that authorities find who committed the crime.
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