A missing juvenile girl from Memphis, Tennessee, has been situated and saved after she was allegedly found at a person’s home in North Carolina, police confirmed.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press release on Monday, March 2, that they received a report a couple of girl from Memphis who was initially reported missing on Sunday, March 1.
The girl’s parents reported the kid missing to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee, and authorities quickly launched an investigation into her whereabouts.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said that authorities situated the girl with 27-year-old Dakota Wayne Vettor at a residence in Stoneville, North Carolina.
“Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was immediately notified of the juvenile being situated, as were her parents,” the discharge stated.
The statement continued, “The juvenile was questioned in regard to her being reported missing and the Rockingham County Department of Social Services was contacted, as was the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office.”
After the girl was taken into custody with the Rockingham County Department of Social Services, she reunited together with her parents and went home with them.
Authorities haven’t publicly revealed the girl’s age or name because she is a minor. Her parents’ identities have also not been shared with the general public.
In court documents obtained by Charlotte Observer, it was revealed that the girl went missing from her parents’ home on Saturday, February 28. She was reported missing someday later when her parents went to the authorities.
It will not be currently known how the girl got to Vettor’s home or in the event that they knew one another prior to the incident. Vettor’s house is situated about 10 hours away from where she lives together with her family.
Police have also not shared how they tracked the girl to Vettor’s home or what the recovery process looked like.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said that authorities interviewed Vettor concerning the situation before he was charged with felony abduction of youngsters. Details from the interview haven’t been publicly revealed.
After he spoke to authorities, Vettor was then taken into custody at Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility. He’s currently being held there and not using a bond, in keeping with the press release.
Vettor is scheduled to look in Rockingham County District Court on March 10 during a hearing set for 8:55 a.m.
It will not be currently clear if Vettor has entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.
“This matter continues to be under investigation right now by each the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee,” the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said in an announcement.
Officials also added that they expect for Vettor to be hit with more charges because the investigation into the situation continues.
The sheriff’s office concluded its statement within the news release by thanking the “Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, and the Rockingham County Department of Social Services for his or her assistance on this matter.”
In case you know of a youngster who’s being exploited or are the victim of a criminal offense, you’re urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Suggestions will also be left at suggestions.fbi.gov