INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police said a 13 year old girl, who was reported as a runaway by her family in Florida, Dec. 25, was located in Indianapolis Tuesday.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District were contacted Tuesday by law enforcement in Florida who were following a lead on the whereabouts of the girl.
They had information that led them to believe she may be in Indianapolis. ISP investigators gathered enough information to apply for a search warrant for a residence on Strathmore Court in Indianapolis. When detectives searched the residence they located the runaway juvenile, who was unharmed, investigators said.
Subsequently, investigators learned a 17 year old male, along with two other adult males, had allegedly driven to Florida in December and picked up the 13 year old, bringing her back to Indiana. The 17 year old and 13 year old had met online though social media. The 17 year old was found in the residence and was arrested.
The 13 year old was turned over to the custody of the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting reunification with her family in Florida.
This investigation is ongoing and ISP detectives are working with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and authorities in Florida. The arrest of the 17 year old was based upon probable cause developed through the investigative process, the charges are merely accusations and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Actual charges will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
