Moore County Authorities Investigate Girl's Murder

Vass, N.C. — An intruder killed a 12-year-old girl in her Moore County home Friday, authorities said.

Emily Elizabeth Haddock was staying home from school sick and was by herself when someone broke into the home at 6988 Marks Road, outside of Vass, authorities said.

The girl's grandfather stopped by the house about 1:30 p.m. Friday to check on her when he noticed the door had been forced open, according to officials. He found her body on the floor and called 911.

Authorities declined to say how the girl was killed but described the inside of the house as "a brutal scene."

Detectives speculated the young girl was killed during a home robbery gone wrong.

There were no suspects in the case Friday evening, and authorities were offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.

Those who knew Emily described her as a “ball of sunshine.”

“She just added life to wherever she was. It is just a tragedy that she’s gone,” said Michael Sowers, the Haddock family’s pastor.

Emily's family, including her mom, dad and older brother, were in a state of disbelief, according to Sowers.

“They’re just heartbroken and shocked,” he said. “There are just no words you can put to it.”

Investigators have not been able to determine a motive for the killing, but they speculated that the person was breaking into the house to steal something and didn’t anticipate anyone being there.

Investigators spent the day, and most of the night, collecting evidence. The child's body was sent to Chapel Hill for an autopsy, and preliminary results are expected to be completed Saturday.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931.