Two decomposing bodies were found at a home from where a 12-year-old girl had escaped after allegedly been held captive, US police have said.
Officials said a motorist driving through a rural residential area in Alabama saw a child walking along the road on Monday, stopped and then called the emergency services.
Police then found two bodies at the home, south of Dadeville.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said the girl was a “hero” and was doing well after receiving medical care.
He said she had not been considered a missing person.
Mr Abbett added: “She’s safe now and so we want to keep her that way.”
Police have not released any further details about the identities of the two people who had been found dead or how they died.
Jose Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37, has been arrested on a kidnapping charge and could face other charges, according to the authorities.
District Attorney Jeremy Duerr said multiple counts of capital murder could be filed in addition to the kidnapping charge.
