Police call North Port child's death suspicious, suspect murder

North Port, Florida - Police are still calling 6-year-old Coralrose "Rosie" Fullwood's death suspicious, but they have every reason to believe it is murder.

At a news conference today, police said they can't official classify the death as a homicide until they receive results from an autopsy. Those results are expected in the next one to three days.

Rosie's grandfather, Saul Vanderwoude, says she was a beautiful young girl with a special spark. They're devastated over her loss.

?I think someone came into the home, abducted the child. Why or how I don't know,? says Vanderwoude.

A neighbor found Rosie's body in a wooded area three blocks from her home on Calabash Lane on Sunday.

?The father of our victim came home around 2 AM from work. That was the last time our victim was seen,? says North Port Police Chief Terry Louis. Louis is calling the death suspicious.

Since Sunday night, investigators say they are following up on 20 additional leads. They're also canvassing the neighborhood and interviewing sex offenders and predators in the area.

Chief Louis recommends everyone to be on alert.

?I would ask that all parents use extra diligence as they always should with their kids, be cautious,? says Louis.

Meanwhile Rosie's grandfather looks for answers. ?I used to think the worst thing a person could ever do is bury a child, and now I find out a grandchild is the worst.?

Her grandmother Doreen says Rosie stood out. ?This little girl became a young lady who is very happy in public school, she was happy in religious school, great with her siblings. She's going to be missed totally.?

Rosie was one of seven children. Her grandmother says the family has a dog, but it never barked that night. Neighbors say Rosie's blanket was found near her body.

At Rosie's school, the principal says there has been an abundance of parents intentionally dropping off their kids at school. He has put in place a "code white" procedure which is a modified lockdown to limit the movement on campus.

Police say there are 76 sex offenders who live within 5-miles of her home. Anyone with information should call the North Port Police Department at 941-429-7474.