Officials have revealed that an Illinois man accused of killing his daughter and her friend five years ago was released as new DNA evidence linked another man to the crimes.

It has been reported that Jerry Hobbs, 39, was arrested shortly after calling police in Zion, Ill., in May 2005 to tell them he found the bodies of his daughter Laura, 8, and her friend Krystal Tobias, 9, in a local park.

The Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday that Hobbs confessed to killing them, but later said he was coerced and pleaded not guilty.

Keith Grant, an assistant public defender, said, "We're glad that Jerry has been released today. It's been a long time coming."

She's been told Illinois officials will escort her son to Texas, said Hobbs's mother in Wichita Falls, Texas.

JoAnn Hobbs said, "After over five years I might get him back but he will never be the same."

DNA from the crime scene matches another man now in custody in Virginia after being charged in two attacks on women there, Prosecutors have said.

They further said that the man used to live in Zion. (With inputs from Agencies)