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Suspect Arrested, But Questions Remain In Killing Of 6-Year-Old Sacramento Girl

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The family of 6-year-old Jadianna Larsen is speaking out about the little girl they loved and what they want for her alleged killer.

Images of Jadianna show her smiling at her sixth birthday party last fall. That's how her family knew her.

"That's all I remember is her nice smile and happy, and then something like this happens," said William Clark, Jadianna's uncle.

Tonight, the family is in pain now that authorities confirm the child's body found in a fire on a rural stretch of road in Glenn County – 90 miles away from Sacramento – was that of Jadianna.

MORE: Body Found In Glenn County That Of Jadianna Larsen; Suspect Arrested

"It's hard. We're all trying to deal with it as a family together," said Jadianna's aunt Erienne Miller. "I miss her a lot."

Jadianna was first reported missing Thursday from a south Sacramento apartment complex on 47th Avenue.

It was her mother's boyfriend, 25-year-old Juan Rivera, who notified authorities, telling them he'd had a medical emergency – saying when he came to, Jadianna was gone.

But, Sacramento County Sheriff's detectives now say something didn't add up.

"Mr. Rivera's case is an open homicide investigation and that continues to be investigated right now," said Sgt. Lisa Bowman with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

At the apartment complex where most of Jadianna's relatives live, her presence is missed.

The family is heartbroken that someone Jadianna trusted and loved is now accused of harming her.

"She did not deserve that. I want to know what she was feeling. Was she thinking about her family? What was her last … What happened? I need to know," Miller said.

And investigators admit there's a lot they still need to find out.

In the meantime, Jadianna's family has no sympathy for her alleged killer. They're just hoping for justice.

Jadianna's mother has been seeking medical treatment and that's why she had her boyfriend watch her. She is not considered a suspect. The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.

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