ANAHEIM : Reward Offered in Slaying of Girl, 9

An Anaheim group on Monday offered an $8,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of 9-year-old Autumn Wallace.

The child was found stabbed to death last Friday in her home on Hudland Drive. Police believe she was killed during a burglary that was committed while she was alone in the house.

On Monday, investigators went back to the neighborhood in an unincorporated area surrounded by Anaheim and Garden Grove and interviewed residents again.

“We want to make sure we talk to everyone who may have seen something,” said Sheriff’s Department Lt. Richard J. Olson.

Olson said 32 investigators are working on the case. “We’re using all of the means available to us,” he said.

The family has not been allowed back in its home since the killing because investigators have continued to scour the house for clues. Investigators have been using a laser-detection system that seeks out fingerprints and clothing fibers that would otherwise be undetectable.

The family in the meantime has been staying with friends.

The Sheriff’s Department welcomed the reward fund established by the Anaheim Citizens Against Violent Crimes Reward Trust.

“We appreciate their help. We know that it sometimes takes something like (money) to have people come forward,” Olson said. He also urged anybody with any information, “no matter how insignificant they might think it is,” to call the Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000.

Anybody wishing to contribute to the reward fund may send donations in care of Wells Fargo Bank, P.O. Box 629, Anaheim, CA 92805, attention B. Mangione.