Little Girl's Body Found Dumped Near LA Hiking Trail

LOS ANGELES, CA — The body of a little girl was found near a hiking trail in the Hacienda Heights area Tuesday morning, and police believe the child was dumped there.

The girl thought to be 7 to 10 years old. Homicide detectives are working to identify her. A county worker made the grizzly discovery at about 10 a.m. along Skyline Trail. The child was believed to be between 7 and 10-years-old and "was placed there in the last 24 hours," said Los Angeles Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Deputy Trina Schrader.

The girl, who is black, appeared to have been dumped at the site from the roadway above, a sheriff's detective said.

"It appears that the person was possibly pushed off the edge of the roadway, down the embankment, onto the equestrian trail," sheriff's Lt. Scott Hoglund told reporters at the scene. "We do not know who the victim is."

"Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives are on the scene investigating and my office is receiving updates," according to a statement released by county Supervisor Janice Hahn.I trust they will identify this young victim and find whoever is responsible for this child's death."

Schrader said she could not immediately confirm reports that the body was found inside a suitcase, but did say that some luggage was found in the area.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service contributed to this report.