José Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37, faces kidnapping charges and multiple counts of homicide in connection with the bodies found at the home after a 12-year-old girl was discovered walking along a road early Monday in Dadeville. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett told reporters at a news conference that a driver picked up the girl and called 911 — starting an investigation that led to Pascual-Reyes’ arrest and the gruesome discovery, AL.com reported. Pascual-Reyes, who remains jailed pending a bond hearing, was arrested in Auburn. The bodies were found at his home in Dadeville, not far from where the girl was discovered wandering alone. The decomposing remains have been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to be identified, Abbett said, adding that it was unclear how long they had been there. “It’s a fluid investigation,” the sheriff told reporters. “Things change and I don’t want to jeopardize the identification of our minor.” Pascual-Reyes had lived in the home since February.WSFAThe bodies were found at Pascual-Reyes’ Dadeville home, not far from where the girl was discovered wandering alone.WSFA Court records obtained by WSFA show the girl was tied to bed posts for nearly a week. She was assaulted and fed alcohol, but managed to escape by chewing her restraints, documents show. Authorities did not say whether the girl knew Pascual-Reyes, AL.com reported. “I would say he’s a hero,” Abbett said. “It’s one of those things we won’t get into until later. We gave her medical attention. She is safe now. We want to keep it that way.” Pascual-Reyes had been living in the home since February, Abbett said. Other people were there when officers arrived, but he did not provide further details, AL.com reported. “It’s horrific to have a crime scene of this nature,” the sheriff told reporters Tuesday.
