Girl Chained to Dresser Dies: 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman Chained Up with Dog Choke Collar by her Father Last Year Now Dead, Homicide

Jersey Bridgeman, an Arkansas girl who made headlines last year when her father chained her to a dresser with a metal dog choke collar and leash, died on Tuesday (Nov. 20) at the young age of 6. Approximately 10 minutes after Bridgeman was reported missing on Tuesday, her lifeless body was found in a nearby vacant house. Bentonville police are currently investigating the case and have since determined Bridgeman's unfortunate death a homicide (the girl's father was arrested for child abuse last year and still resides in jail).

According to reports, police have yet to release exactly how the young girl died and if there are any suspects in the case. It is also unknown who Bridgeman was living with at the time or exactly who reported her missing.

Many people remember Bridgeman as the infamous "girl chained to a dresser," and may wonder if that morbid incident has anything to do with her supposed murder just a year later.

Over 100 individuals gathered to mourn the child at a candlelight vigil hosted at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County on Tuesday. According to Beverly Engle, the center's executive director, "There was a unique quality about Jersey. A little old soul, but such a delight" (reports ABC News).

According to Engle, Bridgeman discussed the abuse allegations involving her own father, David Bridgeman, with law enforcement last year. The young girl claimed she was forced to sleep on the floor in the same room as her father and her stepmother, Jana Bridgeman. "She said that Jana and David chained her to the dresser because she had gotten up and eaten some pies, cereal, and bread... they put a belt around her waist so that she could not get up and get any food." said Rogers police detective Larry Taylor in the court affidavit.

David and Jana Bridgeman pled guilty in June to false imprisonment, permitting abuse of a minor, and endangering the welfare of a minor. The father is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence and Jana a 12-year sentence with an additional three years for probation revocation.

According to reports, a woman visiting the Bridgeman's home was the first to find the young daughter (only 5 at the time) chained to a dresser with a silver chain and what appeared to be a dog collar, and promptly alerted police.

When questioned by investigators, David claimed that Jersey got into medication and other things around the house, so he and Jana decided to chain her to the dresser at night so she couldn't wander off or "sleepwalk." According to detective Taylor, "[David] said that he thinks she may be sleepwalking and that they discussed buying a child gate, but since he does not have a job, they could not afford to buy one at that time."

David first chained Jersey by the ankle with a belt and lock chain to make sure she wouldn't escape. When the young girl complained the two-foot long dog choke collar contraption hurt her leg, David then chained her by the waist. And that is how the woman visiting the Bridgeman home found her last year.

It is unknown if there is any immediate connection between Jersey being chained up last year and her tragic death earlier this week. The FBI has since dispatched agents to assist in the homicide investigation.