News

Actions

Suspect arrested in death of 11 year old

Posted at 7:25 AM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 02:19:06-04

The FBI says authorities have arrested a man in the abduction and death of 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike.

The FBI said Tom Begaye, 27, of Waterflow, New Mexico, was arrested and has a court appearance tomorrow.

Ashlynne was abducted in New Mexico on Monday and was found dead Tuesday, according to the Navajo Nation public safety director.

Officials told KRQE News that Ashlynne's body was found six to eight miles south of the Shiprock monument. That's about 30 miles from where she was kidnapped.

Ashlynne was taken in Fruitland, New Mexico, just outside Farmington, about 30 miles from Colorado, after school on Monday.

Ashlynne's brother said the girl and her little brother were taken by a man in a van. He said the boy escaped.

Tuesday afternoon, the FBI issued a news release describing the man suspected of abducting Ashlynne.

The FBI described him as a light-skinned Navajo man in his 20s or 30s with short, dark hair. The man has a tear-drop tattoo under his left eye and was wearing earrings in both ears, a long, silver chain necklace and a gold watch, the FBI said.

The suspect's vehicle was described as a maroon minivan with sliding doors, a luggage rack on the top and no hub caps on the wheels.

The search for the girl included federal, tribal, state and county officers on the ground as well as a New Mexico State Police helicopter.

---------

Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines.

Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.