Charges expected Tuesday in kidnapping, death of 5-year-old girl

The Associated Press
Litchfield, Minn.

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Zachary Todd Anderson
This undated photo provided by the Crow Wing County Jail in Brainerd, Minn., shows Zachary Todd Anderson, of Monticello, Minn. Anderson was jailed Saturday 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

Criminal charges are expected soon against a family friend held on suspicion of 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 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 girl's body, which was found near the cabin.

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