An AMBER Alert concerning the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio, was issued and subsequently canceled yesterday after the child was found safe. Shane Steven Smith, 48, was arrested and charged with kidnapping. The investigation revealed that Smith, the girl’s stepfather, had allegedly planned to take her to another state to “start a new life as a couple,” as stated in court records obtained by
WBNS
. The girl’s departure was captured on a home camera, indicating she left her home on South Huron Avenue around 5 a.m., a notable hour before the school bus’s scheduled arrival.
Further complicating matters, Smith also has other charges pending, including felonious assault from October 2023 and a February drug possession case, as reported by
FOX28
. These additional charges may affect how his kidnapping case is addressed. The girl was ultimately located unharmed at a relative’s Springfield house, leading to the AMBER Alert’s cancellation.
Local authorities were prompt in responding to the disappearance, with the Columbus Division of Police providing critical insights that led to the girl’s recovery and Smith’s apprehension. While specifics regarding the girl’s well-being were not detailed, officials confirmed that she was found unharmed. There is an anticipation for releasing more information from the sheriff’s office tied to the suspect’s vehicle discovery and other aspects of the case.
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