Five-year-old girl allegedly murdered and abandoned in the woods by father’s co-worker

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was abducted, murdered and dumped in the woods. Her father’s co-worker has been arrested.

Five-year-old Alayna was reportedly murdered by father’s co-worker.

A MAN from Minnesota has been arrested on suspicion of killing five-year-old Alayna Ertl before abandoning her body in the woods.

Zachary Todd Anderson, who was allegedly friends with Alayna’s parents, was staying at the family’s home when the incident occurred.

Mr Anderson stole Mr Ertl’s truck and disappeared with the little girl, according to the police report.

Authorities managed to track the truck to a cabin owned by Mr Anderson, approximately 90 minutes north of the Ertl’s Minnesota home. Police found Mr Anderson alone in the wooded area, about 40 metres from his cabin, a statement from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety stated.

Mr Anderson allegedly told police officers where Alayna’s body could be found, in a “swampy wooded area a few hundred yards from the cabin”.

Alayna’s father worked with Mr Anderson at Vanguard, a company that locates utility lines underground.

Following his arrest, Mr Anderson is now awaiting charges and is expected to make his first court appearance this week.