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Homicide

Charges expected Tuesday in kidnapping, death of young girl

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    This undated photo provided by the Crow Wing County Jail in Brainerd, Minn., shows Zachary Todd Anderson, of Monticello, Minn. Anderson was jailed Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of a co-worker's 5-year-old daughter, Alayna Ertl, whose mother says was taken from their home in Watkins, Minn. (Crow Wing County Jail via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    This photo shows a sign that reads "a life gone too soon" near the cabin in rural Cass County, Minn. where the body of Alayna Ertl, 5, was found, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Authorities say Zachary Todd Anderson kidnapped Alayna Ertl early Saturday from her home in Watkins, about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Alayna's body was found later that day. (Emma Nelson/Star Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    This photo shows a sign that reads "a life gone too soon" near the cabin in rural Cass County, Minn. where the body of Alayna Ertl, 5, was found, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Authorities say Zachary Todd Anderson kidnapped Alayna Ertl early Saturday from her home in Watkins, about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Alayna's body was found later that day. (Emma Nelson/Star Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)

LITCHFIELD, Minn. – Criminal charges are expected soon against a suspect in the kidnapping and killing a 5-year-old girl from central Minnesota.

Zachary Todd Anderson is being held in the Crow Wing County Jail in the death of Alayna Ertl. Alayna was last seen around 2 a.m. Saturday when she was put to bed at her home in Watkins, about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Her mother reported her missing at 8 a.m. Anderson, a family friend, was also missing. The 26-year-old Monticello man had been spending the night with the Ertl family.

Anderson was found later Saturday at a cabin his family owns near Motley, about 80 miles to the north. Authorities say he provided information that led to the discovery of Alayna's body, which was found near the cabin.