The adoptive mother of an autistic 16-year-old girl whose burned remains were found on the rural Missouri property of her biological mother says her family is grieving.

Tamile Leckie-Montague, of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, released a statement Tuesday thanking Missouri investigators for their efforts in determining what happened to Savannah Leckie, who was reported missing last month.

Savannah had returned in the past year to live with her biological mother, Rebecca Ruud, and Ruud's husband on their remote property in southern Missouri. Investigators found the girl's remains on the property earlier this month and identified them as Savannah's on Monday.

Ruud was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and other counts in the girl's death.

Ozark County Prosecutor John Garrabrant declined to say whether anyone else will be charged.

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