Men arrested over alleged strangulation of 12-year-old girl

Two American men who were seen on CCTV footage with a 12-year-old girl before her body was found in a creek in Houston, Texas, earlier this week were arrested over her death, police said.

Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, each face a charge of capital murder in the killing of Jocelyn Nungaray, police said.

The medical examiner has determined that her cause of death was strangulation.

It was unclear if the two suspects had lawyers yet to speak on their behalf. Their names were not listed in jail or court records as of Thursday.

Jocelyn’s body was found in the shallow water of a creek early on Monday morning. Police have said that she sneaked out of her nearby home the night before.

Police said that surveillance footage showed the men meeting up with Jocelyn before walking to a convenience store with her.

The three then walked to the bridge together where Jocelyn was killed, police said.

It was not known yet if Jocelyn knew the men, who were roommates, police said.

Officers said the results of a sexual assault examination on the victim are pending.

Police on Tuesday had released photos from the surveillance footage of the two men, who were called persons of interest at that time.