Crime & Safety

Update: Arrest Made in Jorelys Rivera Case

Ryan Brunn, 20 was a maintenance worker at the River Ridge apartment complex.

Updated: 2 p.m.

Ryan Brunn, 20, a maintenance worker at the River Ridge apartment complex, was arrested in the killing of Jorelys Rivera.

Watch the attached video clip to see Bunn being transported into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

has more details on the investigation.

Updated: Tuesday, 12:50 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An arrest was made in the Jorelys Rivera case just two days after the first grade Canton Elementary student was found in a dumpster in the River Ridge apartment complex, according to .

A 1:45 p.m. press conference has been scheduled at the  to offer more details on the arrest.

Canton-Sixes Patch will have video coverage from the presser.

Watch the attached video clip to see the suspect being transported into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Updated: Monday, 2:55 p.m.

Jorleys Rivera's body was found in a dumpster in the River Ridge apartment complex this afternoon, said Vernon Keenan of the GBI. Her body will be transported to the GBI laboratory for an autopsy.  provided by Canton-Sixes Patch where he discusses the discovery of Rivera's body and the continuing investigation.

Updated: Monday, 2:25 p.m.

Barbara Jacoby, spokeswoman from the , released the following statement on behalf of the school system:

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of first-grade student, Jorelys Rivera. Additional counselors and other support staff are being provided at Canton ES to assist students and staff. The Cherokee County School District continues to cooperate with local and state law enforcement agencies relative to the ongoing investigation. The School District does not and will not comment on ongoing police investigations; accordingly, all questions in this regard should be directed to the Canton Police Department."

Updated: Monday, 2:10 p.m.

The body of 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera was found in a dumpster at the River Ridge apartment complex, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Vernon Keenan of the GBI said she had been severely beaten and sexually assaulted.

will have a video interview from the GBI director shortly.

Updated: Monday, 11:25 a.m.

Officials announced a $5,000 reward for the safe return of Jorelys Rivera at a 10:45 a.m. news conference, according to .

Individuals can donate to the Bring Jorelys Rivera Home Reward Fund at any location. There is a Woodstock branch at 159 Woodstock Square Ave.

Donations can also be made by mailing checks payable to Cherokee Sheriff's Foundation to the .

Checks should be mailed to:

Bring Jorelys Rivera Home Fund

c/o Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation

P.O. Box 4250

Canton, GA 30114

The Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are joining the Canton Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office in the search for Rivera.

from the morning presser with more updates on the search.

Updated: Monday, 10 a.m.

A 10:45 a.m. press conference has been scheduled in reference to Jorelys Rivera, 7, who has been missing since Friday afternoon.

Local, state and federal authorities remain in search mode and continue to investigate her disappearance, said Lt. Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

"Searchers continue to focus on a one-mile radius around the family's apartment complex," Baker said. "That radius may be expanded later."

A tip line has been established for anyone who may information on Rivera. The number is 770-345-4189.

Updated: Monday, 5:14 a.m.

reports a candlelight prayer service for Jorelys Rivera has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at  in Canton.

Updated: Saturday, 4:15 p.m.

The search for 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera has been upgraded from a missing person and search operation to a possible child abduction case, according to Canton-Sixes Patch.

"We have been slowly pushing in that direction during the day today," said  spokeswoman Candy Worthy. "We have searched most of the perimeters that were established this morning and our search grids should be complete by night fall. At this time, we are treating the case as a child abduction for the safety of the child. We have probation officers and deputies speaking with the local sex offenders in the area to rule all of them out. We are also working with the school system and the family to learn more about the child's friends."

Updated: Saturday, 10:33 a.m.

are continuing their search going door-to-door this morning looking for Jorelys Rivera, 7.

"We are confirming that the child is still missing at this time," Canton Police spokeswoman Candy Worthy said in a statement. "We are continuing our search again this morning."

Police have been searching for Rivera since 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Anyone who has information or sees the missing child is urged to call 911 or the Canton Police at 770-720-4883.

Original Report: Friday, 11:45 p.m.

are searching for a 7-year-old girl last seen in the Canton River Ridge apartment complex at 5 p.m.

Jorelys Rivera is approximately 3-feet-tall and 80 pounds.

She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, blue jeans and black boots on 100 River Ridge Drive.

If anyone has any information or sees the missing child, they are urged to call 911.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Woodstock-Towne Lake