Girl, 7, found dead after disappearing during high school football game

Gabriella Doolin, 7. of Allen County, Kentucky. (WBKO-TV courtesy of Doolin family)

A 7-year-old Kentucky girl whose body was found in a creek behind a high school was murdered, state police said Sunday, and now authorities are hunting for her killer.

Gabriella Doolin, of Allen County, was watching a football game at the Allen County Scottsville High School when she disappeared Saturday evening. Police said her mother reported her missing. A short time later, police searching a wooded area behind the high school found her body in the creek. Early Sunday, police said her death was being investigated as a homicide.

“This could happen anywhere, very quickly,” police spokesman B.J. Eaton told WBKO-TV. “I think it’s safe to say Allen County has changed forever.”

After interviewing witnesses, police followed a tip that led to the girl’s discovery, WAVE-TV reported.

The medical examiner’s office in Louisville will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Police said they have no suspects or persons of interest in the case.

"On a night like this, no one wants to leave until we have a solid lead," Eaton said, according to WBKO.

Allen County is about 20 miles southeast of Bowling Green, Ky.