“Help-me”. Poster leads to the rescue of kidnapped girl in California

UA 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas, USA, was rescued in southern California when passers-by saw her holding a sign that read “help me” when she was in a parked car, police said.

According to the Associated Press, the rescue took place on July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when agents responded to an emergency call and found the “girl visibly emotional and distressed”, police said in a press release issued. this thursday.

“Through their investigation, officers learned that the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding a piece of paper with ‘help me’ written on it. They recognized the note and immediately called 911. 9-1-1 [número de emergência]”, explained the cited official.

The suspect, 61-year-old Steven Robert Sabalan, was located and detained by authorities.

Police said the victim was near a bus stop in San Antonio, Texas, on July 6 when the suspect approached in a vehicle, pointed a gun at him and demanded that he get in.

Detectives determined that the girl had been sexually assaulted while being driven to California and found a replica firearm in the vehicle, according to the press release.

The girl was placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

Steven Robert Sabalan was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, lewd and lewd acts with a child, and being a fugitive from justice. Police said the FBI will continue to conduct the investigation.

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