State police have arrested on a murder charge the stepfather of a 15-year-old southern Indiana girl whose body was found behind a shed near her home.

Indiana State Police say 32-year-old Ryan Lee Shelby of Rockport was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder. He was being held Wednesday at the Spencer County Jail. Police did not know whether he had a lawyer.

Authorities say Alexis Oesterle died from a loss of blood due to a wound to her neck area.

State police say they have enough probable cause to arrest Shelby but did not release many other details about the case.

Spencer County sheriff's deputies arrived at the girl's house Monday night on a report that she was missing. A deputy searching the area around the home found the body.

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