WILMINGTON, N.C. – A six-year-old North Carolina girl was found alive Thursday, following an 18-hour search. A witness says she was chained to a tree when deputies located her.
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New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon says the child was found Thursday morning near Wilmington, in woods about three kilometres from her home.
“We beat the odds today, it’s safe to say,” Sheriff Edward McMahon said during a news conference. “We worked tirelessly, relentlessly through the night and I am glad to say, thank the Lord we found her this morning alive and well.”
The witness, Jason Mehalko, tells local news outlets he loaned deputies a saw which they then used to free the girl.
Authorities did not immediately confirm the account the child was chained but said more information would be released at a Friday court hearing.
Police said family who visited the girl in hospital reported that she was happy and smiling.
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McMahon became emotional at one point during the press conference, calling the search for the missing girl “personal.”
“I have a granddaughter at that age,” McMahon told reporters. “This is very personal and it should be to everybody.”
Authorities have charged a registered sex offender with kidnapping and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
The sheriff said that 46-year-old Douglas Edwards has been charged.
Jail records showed authorities set bond for Edwards at $9 million.
Edwards was convicted in 1996 of first-degree sexual offence and indecent liberties with a minor.
— With files from The Associated Press
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