POLICE have increased patrols near schools and warned families to be cautious during an urgent search to find a 10-year-old's killer.
Cops have yet to name a suspect in the death of Iliana "Lily" Peters, whose body was found in a wooded area on Monday, 12 hours after she was reported missing.
Few details about the fourth-grader's death have been released with police citing the ongoing investigation into her slaying.
"You may notice an increased law enforcement presence around our schools," the Chippewa Falls Police Department said in a social media post on Tuesday morning.
"We will be increasing our patrol especially during drop-off and pick-up times."
It came as the police chief warned families in the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin community to be vigilant, saying there may be a danger to the public.
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When reached by email, Police Chief Matthew Kelm told The Sun that a press release would be issued on Tuesday evening.
He declined to provide further details about the cause of Lily's death or any possible leads on suspects.
LILY'S DISAPPEARANCE
A search was launched at 9pm on Sunday, when Lily's father told police that Lily never returned home from visiting her aunt's house, which is four blocks from their family home.
As K9 and search teams scoured the area, a bicycle was found in the woods near a walking trail that bordered a local brewery's parking lot.
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The missing person investigation turned into a homicide probe after police found Lily's body at about 9.15am on Monday.
Chief Kelm said her body was found near the Duncan Creek Trail, in the same area where the bike was discovered.
WARNING TO PARENTS
A warning was issued by Lily's school, Parkview Elementary, with the administration recommending that parents refrain from letting their children walk to school alone.
"By now, you have most likely heard about the tragic incident that occurred last night into today, claiming the life of a CFAUSD student," the school's superintendent Jeff Holmes said in a Monday statement to parents.
"We do not plan to formally announce what happened, as we are not privy to those details – we believe that law enforcement needs to be the ones to decide what or how much to share in that regard."
The administration went on to say that counseling services would be made available to students as they deal with the tragedy.
COMMUNITY SHAKEN
As the police chief said investigators were following "multiple leads" in the probe, the community came together to honor Lily.
A prayer vigil was held for her on Monday night and a memorial has been placed near where her body was found.
“The people of our community are honest, hard-working, and kindhearted," Chief Kelm said.
"It’s almost impossible to believe that something this horrific could happen in our city.
"And an event like this threatens our sense of security."
Residents shared their shock over Lily's death in a Facebook group titled "Justice for Iliana "Lily" Peters.
"Is it normal for a 10 year little girl to be able to go 4 blocks alone?" one commenter wrote.
"Maybe I’m over protective (sic) but at 10 I would not allow my daughter to go more than 2 houses away."
Others suggested that residents in the area should check their surveillance footage while also sharing their grief for Lily and her family.
"I'm praying for this family. How horrible," one community member said.
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"Our kids aren't safe to walk the streets no matter how close it is or how small the town."
Anyone with information about Lily's death was asked to contact the Chippewa County Dispatch Center at 715-726-7701 and select Option 1.
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