Police said that a 12-year-old kidnapped girl managed to chew through her restraints, eventually leading authorities in Alabama to her mobile home, where they found two bodies.
José Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37, was arrested in Auburn, about 25 miles from where the child was found wandering down a rural road, and charged Tuesday with first-degree kidnapping, three counts of capital murder and two counts of abusing a corpse, Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
“She’s a hero,” Abbett said. “She’s safe and we want to keep her that way.”
According to court documents, the child was tied to bed posts for almost a week. He was also drugged and assaulted with alcohol, according to court records. WRBL-TV reported.The girl was able to escape by chewing through her bindings, breaking the braces on her teeth, the documents said.
Tibbett stated that she was found Monday morning on County Road 34 by a driver who passed her and called 911. He said that she was taken to the hospital for treatment and that within 24 hours, investigators issued an arrest warrant for Pascual Reyes.
U.S. authorities arrested the suspect at his mobile house. Marshals, Tibbett said. He said that authorities found two bodies in the trailer. Tibbett said that there were also other people living in the trailer but declined to confirm if they were part the ongoing investigation.
“We’re looking at multiple counts of capital murder, along with kidnapping in the first degree,”Tallapoosa County district attorney Jeremy Duerr stated at the media briefing. “And of course, once we continue and finish our investigation, I feel certain that several more charges will follow.”
According to the sheriff, the girl was not reported missing. He refused to reveal details about the family of the girl or her current location.
“This is horrendous to have a crime scene of this nature and also a 12-year-old juvenile to deal with this horrendous situation,” Abbett said.
Along with many local agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security are all involved in investigating.
Abbett stated that the suspect is currently being held in Tallapoosa County Jail pending a bond hearing. He has not entered any plea.