Authorities in Southern California confirm that the girl whose body was found in a rugged area Tuesay was five-year-old Samantha Runnion.
She'd been taken from the townhouse complex where she lived Monday evening.
The Orange County sheriff says the body was found nude – and investigators believe the girl was sexually assaulted.
And he said there's a risk that the person who kidnapped her will strike again. Sheriff Mike Carona said he bases that on an FBI profile.
Carona said the fact that the body was left out in the open could be the killer's way of leaving a "calling card for future activity."
He said there was "no obvious cause of death" -- but that there appears to be some trauma to the girl's body. It was found Tuesday afternoon about 50 miles from the girl's home -- on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest in neighboring Riverside County.
During Wednesday's nationally-broadcast news conference, FBI agent Richard Garcia addressed the killer directly -- saying, "We will find you and we will bring you to justice."
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Kidnapping Precautions
- Parents MUST know the families of their children's friends.
- Children should use the buddy system -- NEVER walk or ride bikes alone, at night or even during the day. When walking, always walk toward traffic so that an abductor cannot drive up behind and pull the child into a vehicle.
- NEVER hitchhike or take rides from friends unless parents have given permission.
- Always tell a family member or another adult in charge where you will be at all times and when you will be home; this includes a friend’s house close by.
- Don't put your child's name on a lunch box or where anyone can see it. Abductors will see the name and then call the child by name to make the initial contact they need to abduct the child.
- Explain to your child that even if a stranger knows your name, he or she still could be an abductor.
- Bus stops are common areas for abductors to use. They tell children that the bus broke down and they are there to pick up them up, or when it is raining or snowing, abductors may offer children rides to get them out of the elements.
- Teach your child at a young age how and when to use 911. Disconnect the phone and pretend you are the dispatcher and that the child is calling. Make sure your child knows his or her full name and yours, the complete address to your house, and your phone number.
Facts About Kidnapping