Mother of Arizona teen Emily Pike tears up after missing daughter found dismembered

The mother of an Arizona teen whose dismembered remains were discovered in trash bags by the side of the road 18 days after she went missing broke down in tears as she described her late daughter as “just a baby.”

Authorities found the remains of 14-year-old Emily Pike placed in multiple large contractor garbage bags and left on the side of a dirt road on February 14, just days before her birthday, according to WCJB.

“She was just an innocent…she was a baby,” the girl’s mother, Steff Dosela, told the outlet. “She was a very happy and kind person. She loved painting. She loved art. She loved to draw.”

Emily, whose family lives on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, was living in a group home in Mesa when she went missing on Jan. 27.

The teen was last seen alive in January, and her group home manager reported her missing.

“Her case manager came a week later to tell me she was missing,” Dosela told WCJB.

While the teen’s remains were located last month, authorities were only able to confirm they belonged to Pike this past week. Her autopsy results showed she suffered visible face and head trauma.

A head and torso were discovered in large bags with her legs in separate bags, however, the girl’s arms and hands were not found, Gila County Sheriff’s Office said.

“Why did it go that far? It’s pain that I hope no other mother goes through,” Dosela said through tears.

According to the mother, police have three suspects — but they have not shared their names.

Her mother said Emily, who had big dreams of studying art in college, would’ve soon been celebrating her 15th birthday.

“You’ll never be forgotten. I love you,” her mother said. “Until we meet again, rest in peace.”

Authorities have ruled the teen’s death a homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police.