Police have launched an intense search for the murderer of an eight-year-old girl abducted from her Bundaberg home in southern Queensland.
The girl's parents had put her to bed on Sunday night, only to discover her missing on Monday morning.
Police and sniffer dogs started a search of the neighbourhood after her father reported her disappearance about 5.44am (AEST).
An officer found her body a short time later in a pipe that ran off a storm drain near her home.
Three houses on Walker Street, including the girl's home, remain taped off and the girl's body is believed to have been removed from the scene around 6.30pm (AEST).
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An SES tent has been set up where the body was located.
"Early indications are it's a possible break and enter at that premises," Detective Superintendent Maurice Carless told reporters at Bundaberg police station. "We're certainly treating it as a murder.
"This is a very difficult time for the family."
A baby was also in the house when the girl went missing, but Det Supt Carless said the infant was not harmed.
He said police did not have a person of interest, and it was not yet known whether the girl had been sexually assaulted.
"We are going through a process of identifying people who may have knowledge of the people and the locality," he said.
Earlier Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters in Brisbane she felt for the family.
"Our hearts go out to the family of this little girl and this is a very, very sad incident," she said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
