PHOENIX -- An 8-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by neighborhood boys then reportedly shunned by her family is now in a foster home, according to police.

Her story has generated emotional reaction all over Arizona and far beyond.

CBS 5 News has fielded a number of calls and e-mails from people wanting to help.

Phoenix police and Child Protective Services have also received dozens of calls and e-mails.

"I've never seen a response like this to an incident, and it's just been very, very emotional from just about everybody," said Sgt. Andy Hill, spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department.

"It's almost overwhelming. I've had dozens of calls and e-mails. The department's had many calls. The investigative bureau has had them from people who just want to help by giving money and many people wanting to adopt the child," said Hill.

Some of the good Samaritans were from as far away as Maine, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada.

"One gal from California called me and said she'd been a resident of Phoenix for 40 years and they retired to California. She said her heart was broken and she just wanted to offer to be the foster parent for that child," said Sgt. Hill.

Police said the girl was lured by several boys into a shed near her family’s Phoenix apartment with the promise of chewing gum. Four boys -- ages 14, 13, 10 and 9 -- have been arrested and charged with sexual assault.

CBS 5 News is not identifying the suspects due to their ages.

Police said the girl’s father told a caseworker and an officer that he didn’t want his daughter, saying she had brought shame to the family.

CBS 5 News attempted to ask the family whether they had disowned their daughter. The girl’s father did not give a clear answer, but did say he wanted his daughter back.

As for whether the girl will eventually be reunited with her family, or if another family would be able to adopt her, a judge will likely make that decision down the road, CPS spokesperson said.