Opelika Jane Doe .jpg

Jane Doe found dead in Opelika in 2012. (The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the skeletal remains of a little girl found in Opelika more than four years ago.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a new facial reconstruction of what the child would have looked like.

The girl's remains were found on Jan. 28, 2012 near a creek at a trailer park on Hurst Street in Opelika, according to the center and Opelika police. She was believed to have been dead for about eight months to 2 years.

Authorities say she was murdered.

Experts believe the girl was black and between 4 and 7 years old at the time of her death. She had medium length black hair styled in small tight curls. Her height, weight and eye color can't be determined.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an anthological assessment of her bones suggested the girl had likely been abused and malnourished in life.

Opelika police say the girl may have shown signs of physical abuse on her face and body during her lifetime. She may have also appeared sickly and had bad hygiene.

Due to malnourishment, the girl's teeth were underdeveloped and may have appeared small and out of place for her face.

"We feel pretty confident she is not from this area," Opelika police Lt. Johnathan Clifton said.

Opelika police are hoping to learn where region the girl was from and possibly her parents through new advanced DNA analysis and isotope testing that is expected to be complete in the next few months.

A long-sleeve pink shirt with heart buttons and small ruffles near the neckline was found near the girl's remains. It is unclear if the shirt belonged to the girl.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Investigative Services Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665.