SAN ANTONIO — A 6-year-old girl who went missing for several hours Saturday evening was found dead later that night inside a large, old-fashioned microwave in the backyard of a home on the East Side.

San Antonio police believe she climbed inside the microwave and somehow became trapped. They said they are investigating the case as an accidental sudden death.

The girl, identified by family members as Rebecca Maria Herrera, was said to be the daughter of an officer for the San Antonio Police Bike Patrol. But investigators were not releasing his name as of early Sunday.

Relatives said they were shocked and devastated, declining further comment at the scene.

Rebecca was first reported missing shortly before 7 p.m. from the officer’s home in the 4200 block of Wild Oak Drive near W.W. White Road. San Antonio police searched the home for the young girl and then took to the streets, with dozens of neighbors and volunteers helping to comb the area. The department’s helicopter also was dispatched.

“The whole neighborhood was helping search,” Lt. Randy Smith said. “It’s a tight community.”

The girl was discovered near 10 p.m. They released no more information about the case early Sunday.

Stephanie Almendarez and her small daughter, who live across the street, held back tears as they watched investigators enter Rebecca's home. Her children would often play with the little girl, and her husband and sons had ridden their bicycles around the block earlier as part of the search team.

A mother of five, she could not imagine the family’s pain, Almendarez said.

More for you News Missing San Antonio girl found dead in backyard microwave

“I heard somebody yell, ‘I found her,’ and then I heard crying,” she said. “I am shocked. I thought she was OK. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

julloa@express-news.net