Police Investigate Death Of 6-Year-Old Arkansas Girl

Jersey Bridgeman endured a lot in her young life, including abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother, but school officials say she was still a happy little girl.

Now, authorities are trying to figure out who killed 6-year-old Jersey after the kindergartner's body was found in a vacant house Tuesday in the northwest Arkansas city of Bentonville.

Jersey's father and stepmother are in prison for chaining her to a dresser last year.

Mary Ley, communications director for Bentonville schools, says Jersey had been through a lot but was still a joyful child.

Police have said they're investigating Jersey's death as a homicide, but they won't say how she died. They haven't arrested anyone in connection with her death.

CBS-affiliate KFSM in Fort Smith is reporting that investigators are looking into sex offenders who may live in the area.

KFSM reports that seven Level II sex offenders are registered as living within a few miles of the crime scene. Level II means they're at moderate risk for re-offending.

Go to CBS-affiliate KFSM in Fort Smith, Arkansas for more on this story.