Based on what the adults told authorities, investigators believe "they were involved possibly in a ritual of some sort," police spokesman John Quigley said. "It may have had something to do with undemonizing the child in some manner."

Police learned of the death around 12:30 a.m. when the unidentified man and woman were seen walking naked down a city street with two children, a 2-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, Quigley said.

The 7-year-old provided investigators with information that led them to the motel, where they found the girl's body. The two adults had apparently been living there for some time, possibly through assistance from a church, Quigley said.

A 6-year-old girl found dead in a motel room had been strangled, stabbed, beaten and covered in pages torn from a Bible

The relationship between the two adults and three children was not immediately clear. Quigley said DNA testing would be conducted to determine whether the children were related to the Careys.