Missing girl, 14, found hidden in closet; authorities uncover trapdoor in Calaveras County home
(Summary clipped from article as to remain within TOS)
A weeklong search to find a missing 14-year-old in Calaveras County ended Friday when authorities discovered a trapdoor leading to a makeshift sleeping area under a home where the girl had gone to spend the night and found the teen hiding in a closet, sheriff’s officials said.
Isaiah Haggard, 20, and his mother, Annie Pearl Abernathy, 41, both of West Point, were charged with felony child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer, court records show. They were being held in lieu of $100,000 each, but their bail was lowered to $20,000 each, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
Another West Point man, whom sheriff’s officials identified as Jose Tinocopureco, 34, was arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer. He has since been released from custody, sheriff’s officials said.
The Times is not naming the girl to protect her privacy.
Although detectives had already searched the house when the child was first reported missing, “new information” led them back to the property eight days later, according to a news release.
Officials found the missing girl hidden in a closet, crouching beside a crossbow, Stark said.
The officers also found a trapdoor leading to a hiding spot on the dirt floor under the house, according to the news release, where they discovered the girl’s phone among some makeshift bedding.
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West Point is a census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census.
This is a strange situation, in such a small town. I hope this girl is able to get the help she needs and is able to resolve the problems that led to her sleeping in a hole under someone else's house... I'm curious to know if there will be any additional charges for the adults in this case..and just what the heck was going on.
(Summary clipped from article as to remain within TOS)
A weeklong search to find a missing 14-year-old in Calaveras County ended Friday when authorities discovered a trapdoor leading to a makeshift sleeping area under a home where the girl had gone to spend the night and found the teen hiding in a closet, sheriff’s officials said.
Isaiah Haggard, 20, and his mother, Annie Pearl Abernathy, 41, both of West Point, were charged with felony child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer, court records show. They were being held in lieu of $100,000 each, but their bail was lowered to $20,000 each, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
Another West Point man, whom sheriff’s officials identified as Jose Tinocopureco, 34, was arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer. He has since been released from custody, sheriff’s officials said.
The Times is not naming the girl to protect her privacy.
Although detectives had already searched the house when the child was first reported missing, “new information” led them back to the property eight days later, according to a news release.
Officials found the missing girl hidden in a closet, crouching beside a crossbow, Stark said.
The officers also found a trapdoor leading to a hiding spot on the dirt floor under the house, according to the news release, where they discovered the girl’s phone among some makeshift bedding.
______________
West Point is a census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census.
This is a strange situation, in such a small town. I hope this girl is able to get the help she needs and is able to resolve the problems that led to her sleeping in a hole under someone else's house... I'm curious to know if there will be any additional charges for the adults in this case..and just what the heck was going on.
