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© Tennant Family PhotoFive-year-old Isabella Tennant was found dead after going missing from her home in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Two teenagers charged in connection with the death of a five-year-old New York girl whose body was dumped in a trash can were expected to make their first court appearance since their arrests.

Authorities said a 16-year-old and Tyler Best, 18, were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Niagara Falls City Court. An autopsy of the body of Isabella Tennant was also scheduled.

(NBC News Digital did not name the youngest defendant because of his age)

The arrests came after Best went to police Monday morning and led them to a garbage can containing a trash bag holding Isabella's body. Best told them he had helped the younger teen dispose of it after the boy had killed her, police said.

'Bare hands'

Isabella's family called police Monday morning to say she was missing from her great-grandmother's Niagara Falls home, where she'd been staying overnight.

"The great grandmother, Sharon Lascelle, said she went to bed just after 11:00 p.m. and Isabella was playing with" the 16-year-old, according to a press release issued to NBC station WGRZ by the Niagara Falls Police Department.

"At this time we believe (the 16-year-old) killed Isabella with his bare hands (no weapons involved) and that Best was only involved after she was deceased and assisted with moving her remains," it said.

The teen "was described by family members of the victim as a 'close' and 'trusted' family friend. They also said it was also not uncommon for him to be in the home and around Isabella unsupervised. Best and (the younger teen) are described as close friends," it added.

Police have charged the 16-year-old as an adult, and he faces a second-degree murder charge. Best is charged with tampering with evidence. Best and the younger teen were in custody and couldn't be reached for comment. There was no listed home phone number for them, and no information about attorneys was available.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Niagara Falls Chief Detective William Thompson said there were signs of injuries but no indication of sexual abuse.

"It's a terrible crime. It tears at your heart," Thompson said.

Of Best going to police, Thompson said, "I imagine it was his conscience."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.