Police officer accused of dumping missing Ga. teen’s naked body in woods after her death

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (TCD) -- A 22-year-old former police officer was arrested on suspicion of moving a missing teen’s body into the woods after she died.

Gwinnett County Jail records show Miles Bryant was booked Feb. 13 on charges of concealing the death of another person and false report of a crime. According to the warrant application cited by WAGA-TV, Bryant, who was an officer with the Doraville Police Department, allegedly "dumped" 16-year-old Susana Morales' naked body in a wooded area following her disappearance.

The false reporting allegedly stems from Bryant saying his gun was stolen after someone broke into his car.

WAGA reports investigators also suspect Bryant of rape and murder, but he has not been formally charged with those crimes yet.

Morales was last seen July 26 leaving her home on Santa Anna Drive in Norcross. She reportedly texted her mother to say she was on her way home but never made it. Cellphone data showed her last known location was at Oak Loch Trace, and it stayed in that general vicinity until it was either turned off or died.

She remained missing until her decomposed remains were eventually found Feb. 6 in a forested area.

WXIA-TV reports Gwinnett County Police do not believe Morales and Bryant had a prior relationship. Bryant reportedly lived in Norcross as well, not far from Morales' home.

In a statement, the city of Doraville referred to Bryant as a "now-former police officer," and added, "The City of Doraville and its Police Department are fully cooperating with the Gwinnett Police Department in its investigation of Mr. Bryant. Our prayers rest with the family and friends of Susana Morales and everyone else affected by this tragedy."

MORE:

• Gwinnett County Jail inmate information
• Warrant application: Georgia officer 'dumped' missing 16-year-old girl's body in woods - WAGA
• Former Doraville police officer accused of concealing 16-year-old girl's death - WAGA
• Doraville Police officer arrested in connection to 16-year-old's death - WXIA
• Doraville officer dumped teen's naked body in woods | What the warrant says - WXIA
• City of Doraville Statement on the Arrest of Miles Bryant - Doraville Police Department
• Missing Georgia teen's remains found in forest 6 months after disappearance - TCD