US: Teenager rapes and murders girl, 8, dumps body in recycle bin

A teenager has been charged with the kidnap, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in California.

Madyson Middleton went missing in Santa Cruz and her body was found on 27 July in a recycling bin.

The accused, Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, 15 allegedly lured Middleton into his family apartment as she was riding her new scooter.

According to reports, Gonzalez later tied up Middleton before sexually assaulting and killing her.

"She was riding her brand new scooter... she was as happy as could be, riding around," said Laura Jordan, mother of Middleton.

"This is extraordinarily heartbreaking news that I am about to give to you. Our detective discovered the body of a young female inside of a dumpster," said Kevin Vogel, Chief at the Santa Cruz police department, reported CNN News.

"It's horrible, it's awful. It's heartbreaking."

No motive has yet been established in the murder.

"Unfortunately, the search for Maddy ended in the worst way possible. People do things for lots of reasons, sometimes we understand it, sometimes we don't," said Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell, reported The Independent.

Gonzalez is to be charged as an adult and if found guilty, he will possibly get life sentence, according to Rosell.