July 3, 2008 Feds: Brooke Bennett's uncle could face death, if convicted Play video

(NECN: Randolph, Vermont) - An autopsy will be performed today on the body of Brooke Bennett. Police found the body of 12-year-old Bennett yesterday in a shallow grave about a mile from her uncle's home in Randolph, Vermont. The discovery ended a weeklong search for the child.

Michael Jacques, the girl's uncle and a convicted sex offender, will face federal kidnapping charges in the case. Jacques was already in custody on charges of aggravated sexual assault involving a different underage girl.

In a court affidavit, the FBI says an unnamed 14-year-old girl told investigators that Jacques tricked Bennett into thinking she was going to a party and took her to his home to be initiated into a sex ring. Officials say they do not have any proven evidence of a sex ring.

Jacques will be tried only in federal court and if convicted, he faces life in prison or death.

Bennett was the subject of the state's first Amber Alert.

Part 1 of the news conference

Part 3 of the news conference