A missing North Carolina teen has been found and two men arrested on trafficking and kidnapping charges.
The missing 15-year-old girl, from Spring Lake, was found at a home in Kitty Hawk, some 250 miles away, Thursday morning, according to WTVD.
31-year-old Elihue Martin Mahler and 23-year-old Austyn Lee Cole have been accused of human trafficking involving a child victim, as well as charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, and conspiracy to traffic. Their arraignment is scheduled for Friday in court.
The Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats revealed that the girl had encountered one of the suspects online prior to her disappearance. After being found, she was brought to a medical facility for assessment before reuniting with her family.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Philip VanWyngarden emphasized that minors do not willingly engage in such activities. He stated, “Whenever a minor is interacting with a predator online and they carry out actions in the real world, or even online, they are still minors – they are victims who are being exploited.”
VanWyngarden said agencies used technology to track the teen, who had been taken to Virginia Beach before going to Kitty Hawk.
The Amber Alert issued for the girl was canceled after she was located.
