![Coon Rapids Man Indicted in Kidnapping, Killing of 5-year-old Girl](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/08/Zachary-Anderson-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Coon Rapids Man Indicted in Kidnapping, Killing of 5-year-old Girl
WALKER -- A 25-year-old man now faces first-degree murder charges in the kidnapping and killing of a 5-year-old girl from Watkins.
A Cass County grand jury handed up a 19-count indictment against Zachary Todd Anderson. The indictment includes charges of first- and second-degree murder, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.
Authorities say Anderson abducted Alayna Ertl on Aug. 20 from her home in Watkins, about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Alayna's body was found later that day - submerged and covered with debris - near a cabin owned by Anderson's family near Motley. An autopsy found the girl was strangled and had been sexually assaulted.
Anderson, who is from Coon Rapids, was considered a friend of Alayna's father.
Anderson remained in jail Friday. His attorney did not return a message for comment.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Cloud Man Charged With Arson Following Apartment Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-James-Lund.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Whoops! Bong Water Containing Meth Found During MN Traffic Stop](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/06/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-joshua-coleman-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Quit Running! This MN Motorcyclist Tried To Flee Law Enforcement](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/05/attachment-Image-Credit-Chisago-County-Sheriff-and-Canva.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Sheriff To ‘True Crime’ Curious Residents: It’s Just A Car In A Pond](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/04/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-and-Dakota-County-Sheriffs-Office-via-Facebook.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dive Team In Minnesota Recovers ‘Lost’ Car From Park Pond](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/04/attachment-Google-Maps-michael-fortsch-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Body Cameras To Thank For Solving Isanti Liquor Store Theft](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/04/attachment-Image-Credit-matt-popovich-zhivko-minkov-and-google-maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park Man Pleads Guilty in 2021 St. Cloud Bank Robbery](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/03/attachment-Untitled-design-1-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Burnsville Man Arrested by Task Force in Sartell Drug Bust](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/06/handcuffs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Sheriff: Suspicious Man ‘Hiding Shotgun’ Was Playing Air Guitar](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/03/attachment-Image-Credit-Ana-Grave-Emma-Simpson-Stephen-Picilaidis-via-Unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)