What's up, sweetheart? Sheriff's office. Are you hurt at all? >> You're not hurt at all? >> Your stomach hurts? Okay, we're going to be right with you. Okay. How old are you? >> If I ask you that question again, I'm going lose my mind. How old are you? >> 22. >> Oh, you up. >> Sometimes teens can be arrogant enough to believe that they can disappear and start fresh on their own terms, regardless of the uncertainties waiting for them outside. to what happens when police track them down and their desired independence comes to a fruitless end. >> Step out, miss. >> And start putting the handcuffs on people. I mean, what are you doing with these guys? >> Go ahead and sit there. You sit there. How did you meet these guys? >> How did you meet these guys? >> Um, they are my friends. >> They are way older than you. >> These are the times runaway teens realized they have been caught. Starting with the moments deputies tried to track down a missing 15-year-old, but instead encountered a bunch of rowdy, uncooperative youngsters who thought they were protecting their runaway friend. >> You to get your foot out the door so I >> There's a missing juvenile that's reported to be here. >> No, she's not. We just talked to her parents. >> YOU DON'T GOT TO GIVE HIM YOUR NAME NEITHER. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE HIM YOUR NAME BECAUSE HE NOT FOR YOU. OKAY. HE HE CAN LIVE HERE WITH ME THOUGH. How the [ __ ] you going to tell me? >> On February the 13th, 20125, police in Danville were dispatched following reports of a missing 15year-old girl who had last been seen with a group of youngsters at a local apartment complex. However, upon the officer's arrival, the residents inside the apartment refused to open the door, immediately escalating what should have been a routine welfare check. >> Hello, my name >> Hello. Uh, is Mikey home? No. Where's she at? >> Yeah, let's go. >> What time? She'll be back in 10 minutes. >> Yeah, >> cuz we're having a lot of complaints. There's more people other than than her cuz she's the only one on the lease. >> Do you live here? >> No, I'm just here. >> Where are you here? If you don't live here, >> I'm visiting my sister. >> Visiting who? >> My sister. >> Who's your sister? >> RJ. >> You get her on the phone? >> What y'all need? >> Well, I need to talk to her. She know. >> Is there anybody else here? >> No, she going to be on the way though. >> You call her on the phone? We don't know who you are. >> We don't know who you are. >> I'm her sister. I mean, her brother. He needs to know who you are. You don't have a right to be here. >> I can't call her. She not answer, but she going to be on the way right now. >> So, what's your name? >> She should be pulling up. >> What's your name? >> Don. >> Dan. What's your last name? >> Who else is here? >> Nobody. >> You were just talking to somebody. >> Oh, we're just talking to nobody. >> 28 28. >> Were you here last night? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, you're not just visiting. The problem is he needs to figure out if you have the right to be here or not because maybe trespass. >> If he can't talk to the the person that is the lease holder and verify that you have the right to be here, we're having a problem. >> Just going to get him. >> He's your ID here. Where's your ID? Need to see your ID. >> What you need to see his ID for. He's a minor. >> Who are you? >> This my house. >> What's your name? >> Gang. Then he came right here acting like he going to come in here with >> I never been like >> We need to verify your ID. What you need to ver Can you tell me what's going on? >> Number one, he needs to verify that you're the resident here. Okay. >> Okay. This is the manager. >> The man the man the management man. Okay. >> Number two, there's a missing juvenile that's reported to be there. >> No, she's not. We just talked to her parents. She's and she's not reported here. We just dropped her back off at ran late. >> Who'd you talk to? >> Her mother. >> Who's her mother? >> Candace. >> So, you saw the 15-year-old? >> We We got her from where she was. >> Her backpack's in the room back there. Why is her backpack in the room back there? >> You went in my house? >> Nope. Oh, well, we talked to her mom. >> The resident of the house, Margie, refused to provide clear or direct answers. Despite the possibility of a missing teenager potentially being inside while she was trying to be a toughy, her reluctance to cooperate was only heightening suspicions. >> Can Can you You could close the door, Dan. Excuse me. >> You need to verify to the >> I just told you who I was. >> We need to see your ID. >> Okay. Excuse me. Can you close my door? >> 603. Can Can I request a sergeant or something? Because I asked you to get your foot out of my door. There's no one in there and I just told you he >> We don't know you live here. We don't know who you are. >> This is my house. >> We don't know who you are. >> What you mean my I just told you my name is Marj Carter. You look on there and you could tell I just told you. I don't have to show you anything cuz you're not looking for me. >> Okay. We're investigating a missing juvenile. >> And I just told you we talked to her mom. >> Let me finish. If you don't cooperate and you don't furnish your ID, you're obstructing. That's against the law. This man in here also. >> He not nothing. He's a monster. You don't You don't have nothing to talk to. You don't need his ID. No, you don't. You get your foot up by my door. >> Close the door and I'll TALK TO YOU PROPERLY. I JUST ASKED YOU TO CLOSE MY DOOR. I will DO I WILL ONCE YOU CLOSE MY DOOR. >> I know why YOU'RE SCREAMING. >> BECAUSE I ASKED HIM TO CLOSE MY DOOR. I'M NOT. You stay back there. You ain't said IN THE FIRST PLACE. DON'T say now. I asked you to move your foot up. I might do it. >> Okay. >> I'M NOT GOING TO GET NOTHING UNTIL you get your foot up on my door. I just asked you to get your foot up my door and I want because I'm recording I don't care. >> I'm recording you because you're going to be charged with obstructing >> I'm not obstructing [laughter] nothing. >> We need to verify whether you're told I will do that >> a missing juvenile. >> And I told you I will DO THAT ONCE YOU GET your foot out my door. And I told you I will do that. >> You understand that? >> Once you get your foot up on my door come back too. So she had 20. >> I'm trying to I'm trying to do the best I could for you. I'm trying to help you. >> Go get your IDs. >> I will. ONCE YOU GET YOUR FOOT UP AT MY DOOR, I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU RIGHT HERE. AIN'T NOBODY IN THERE WITH HIM BUT HIM. VERIFY THAT. I'M TELLING YOU THAT. >> And I don't know that you live here. >> I just told you I was telling me people all THE TIME. >> YOU AIN'T NOBODY to be lying to, mister. >> But can you get your foot out my door? >> Who's Desiree? >> I don't [ __ ] know. That's not me. >> Is that the car she came out of? >> Yeah. >> Were you driving that car? >> What car? That mean someone I just pulled up in? >> Yeah. What about >> is that your car? >> Where I at? >> Lady, we're trying to figure out where this missing juvenile. All right. What you're telling us doesn't gel with what we've been told. We're investigating trying to find the kid. Her mom's a panic panic mess. >> But her mama literally we literally just talked to her mom. That's what I'm telling you. I don't This This is too much going on. You talking about 15year-old. I don't know why you want to deal with no [ __ ] Talking about a missing child. None of my mother. >> How soon before they can get evicted? >> Only 30 days. No more than 30 days. I'm not going to get evicted for nothing else. That's >> when you when you obstruct and harbor a possible runaway. >> Her mother literally said that it was okay for us. >> So the management here doesn't want people that have problems with the police right now. You're having a problem with >> with the police. Exactly. That's why I'm asking, can you get your foot out my door? >> I don't want this door to close until you come back. I'm not going in there. I'm not going in there. >> Okay. But who are you? >> I need to verify that. I need to verify he's not missing either. How do I know? I don't know his name. I don't know who he is. Tell me his name. >> Got a house full of talk to the mother. >> Y'ALL NEED TO GO BE LOOKING FOR THE KIDS that's missing. For real. >> Okay. Go get YOUR ID. >> I'M NOT GOING TO GET NOTHING CUZ I GOT MY ID ON. I ASKED YOU to take your FOOT OUT THE DOOR AND I WOULD DO WHAT YOU SAID. >> I'm asking you to provide identification. >> I ask you to get your foot out the door so I can detain. >> You got ME [ __ ] UP. I DIDN'T DO [ __ ] YOU AT MY HOUSE. >> YOU'RE GOING TO BE DETAINED. I'M NOT. YOU NOT ME. >> WHERE'S your looking? >> Oh god. >> AND HE DON'T GOT NO ID. I JUST TOLD YOU HE'S A MINOR. SO YOU CAN STOP TALKING TO HIM. I'M HERE TO ARGUE. >> YOU'RE NOT A SCHOOL. >> HE DON'T. >> He doesn't look. >> Why not? >> Stop touching me. >> Show him your ID. >> You're going to be detained. >> I don't give a >> The tension continued to rise as MarJ avoided even the most basic requests. But the situation escalated even more when the missing teen's brother arrived at the scene. >> Say what? Y'all looking for the wrong person. Why are y'all at her door? >> You don't know what you're talking about. You're looking for my LITTLE SISTER. >> EXACTLY. >> AND I TOLD YOU TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE you're looking for my little sister and she's somewhere in Round Lake. >> Okay, Reggie, where's your sister? >> She's somewhere in Round Lake with her friends and I told her that. >> Now, it contradicts exactly what she just said. >> And it doesn't. That don't have nothing to do with none of them. And you're at her door. This is not >> You don't live here, right? >> Yes. Yes, I do. >> Who's on the lease? You hide your ID? >> No. No. Because who is you? You not the police. >> You then that doesn't have no better. I represent the property. You're staying at >> Okay, I understand that. But this is what I'm saying. Why not? The reason why that thing called you for looking for my little sister is because my little sister got out of that house because of my mom putting her hands on her. That girl is somewhere around like she told me that she >> she's a missing juvenile. >> Okay. But she told you want me to call. >> She needs to be home. >> I'm going to call my mom. So you guys >> call your mom. I'm going to call your mom. I'm calling my mom now. >> Probably. >> I thought you said you drop her off the So she said I'm calling my mom right now TO HER MOTHER. I TOLD YES, I DID TELL YOU THAT WE TALKED to her mother ourselves. >> No. Mhm. [clears throat] >> We're going to reveal the body. >> Be quiet. >> We're going to reveal the body. >> Okay. But my I got my mom on the phone right now. >> So you're lying, too. So >> nobody's lying. >> She's lying. She She said something different. >> But this doesn't have nothing to do with her. This is my This is my girlfriend. That's what I'm saying. Y'all y'all GOT HER BUSINESS IN 30 DAYS BECAUSE OF POLICE ACTIVITY. Like I don't even know what the >> This doesn't have nothing to do with her. Hey, that she's calling. She's sent y'all to >> come out. >> This is my friend was over here. My friend was over here. But my police >> Okay, I'm calling >> cuz they need to get the [ __ ] away from my house. >> This ain't your house. >> IS HER HOUSE? >> HOW IS SHE NOT ON? >> WHOSE HOUSE IS THIS? >> SHE DOESN'T PROVE ANYTHING. >> I DON'T GOT TO PROVE MY no stop all that young police. >> I can say it's my house. >> This is her house though. Why would she Why would she be at somebody else's house? Excuse. Hello. >> Where you at? >> Yes. Um, she got the police at at this house looking for them. I like she she didn't like she didn't call them and tell them that she's not miss. She know where she's at. You on speaker phone >> police at your house? >> Yes. >> To get Jana >> and like she don't like my mama don't know where Jana is at. >> Yeah. She she she know where she at. >> Exactly. >> That's not Jania's mom, right? >> This is her mother. My Jana's mother's mother. This is Evan. No, we need to speak to J. >> And I'm trying to call her and she y'all have been talking to her. Y'all just being a right now. That's not That's not okay. There's a minor on on your >> Thank you, ma'am. >> The brother made no attempts to actually help the officers find his sister, who had been reported missing by her frantic [music] mother just a few minutes ago. The officers had been very patient with them so far and were beginning to lose their cool. If the dumb wannabe tough youngsters were a little smarter, they would take a chill pill to avoid going to jail. >> But how are she? She in the way. >> She has HEY, HOW YOU GRAB HER? WHY ARE YOU GRABBING HER? WHY ARE YOU GRABBING HER? >> HEY, STOP. HEY. HEY. HEY. >> GET OFF YOU, BRO. LIKE, I'M NOT YOU. >> STOP. HEY, >> I KNOW. >> I KNOW. >> HEY, STOP. >> I DON'T GOT NO STOP. LET ME SEE. His hair got his head. >> That's what you get. That's what the YOU GET. NOW LET ME GO. YOU ALREADY GOT ME A HANDCUFF. LET ME THE GO. OH MY GOD. THAT'S WHY I JUST SAID SHE SHOULD NEVER CALL. NO. PULL ME TO MY HOUSE. LOCK THE DOOR. LET ME GO. Let me go on my back. Let me GO RIGHT NOW. YOU ALREADY GOT ME IN HANDCUFFS. I ASKED YOU TO LET ME GO. YEAH, I'm loosening these cups. I loosen them. I ask y'all to un my cup before you put me in THIS CAR. I LOOSEN THE CUPS BEFORE YOU PUT ME IN THE CAR. NOW, >> WHERE'S YOUR ID? >> IN MY POCKET. >> WHICH POCKET? I LOOSEN THE UP. [screaming] DAMN. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHY I LOOSEN MY CUP. I ASKED FOR A SERGEANT ANYWAYS. AND WHY THEY NO WOMAN RIGHT HERE AND Y'ALL ALL IN MY POCKET? LET ME GO. I SPIT ON YOU. Can you un loosen these cuffs? THAT'S WHY I DON'T like stupid call my she just on the phone with the LITTLE GIRL. THAT DUMB. I JUST TOLD HER TOO MUCH GOING ON FOR HER. SHE TRYING TO CALL THE POLICE TO MY HOUSE. I loosen these cuffs. I'm loosening the cup. Now let me let go. Now let me go. >> My mom is adamant. The daughter will stay the night and will not leave. >> EXACTLY. NOW LET ME GO. Now what you still putting me in the coffer? IF SHE JUST SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. WHAT ARE YOU still charge me? >> You're going to get charged for resisting. >> I didn't resist nothing for obstruction. >> I didn't resist nothing. I didn't resist nothing. >> I'm going to write you a couple tickets and then you can go inside. Go on. GET INSIDE. >> WHO SAID I HAD TIME FOR ALL THAT? >> I do. Get in. Otherwise, you're going to get charged again. >> Okay. But I asked you to I LOOSEN MY CUP. THIS HURT. >> You was a I want What's her name? >> It'll be on the ticket. >> I I loosen them. That's what the I said. >> GET IN. >> I SAID I LOOSEN. >> GET IN. >> I LOOSEN the cops. He talking. >> The officer tracked them. The officer SAID I DON'T GET NO. >> ALL RIGHT. GO ON. GET IN. If you would have cooperated from the very beginning this right cup at least, bro. I'M LOSING MY RIGHT CUP. >> Stop moving your arms and your wrist and they won't bind up on you. Bro, what I'm doing? >> Okay, fine. Just >> I'm losing the right cup. >> Just get in. >> I'm losing the right cup. My wrist I already broke. You just wrist me. You seem to be resisting just fine, >> bro. I'm losing a cup. Damn. >> I can get my finger in there. I CAN GET MY >> Get in. Sit down. >> Sit down. >> I'm losing the cup. >> Sit in the car. >> No, I'm losing. >> Sit in the car. Otherwise, I'm going to help you win. >> Go. >> I just asked you to. There's room in the cough because I can get a little finger in there. Get in the car. It's not tight. >> I said get in. >> You're going to get charged. >> After receiving a muchneeded lesson on respect and compliance, MarJ seemed much calmer and composed. The officer decided to let her off with the ticket so he could focus on confirming the teen's whereabouts. But it appeared that the lesson hadn't had its effect on MarJ [music] just yet. >> You come over and help me. Uh, you hold this while I'm cover your name. >> It's up there. Your stuff's up there. You're arrested because you committed 205, >> but I asked his name, though. >> My star number is on the bottom of the >> Okay. Can I have his, too? >> A number. >> It's 820. >> 820. >> Yep. All right. You're asking me where the two 15year-olds are? What are the 15year-olds names? What are the names of the 15-year-olds and where do they live? >> My My brother was in the house. >> Who was your brother? >> The the young man that you was talking to at the door. >> The one that said his name was Duran. >> Yes. >> No. He closed the door when you told him to close the door. Who was the other 15year-old? >> His friend was in there with him. He left. >> Uh-huh. See, everybody likes to lie. Everybody said there was only Duran in there. And there were two people. When I left my >> You understand the problem, R.J.? >> No. Listen to what I'm trying to tell you. When I left my apartment, my brother had a friend over. Let's go in the laundry room so no one hears your business. >> You don't even have to come. I just want to know if y'all didn't take them. That's okay. >> Where would we take them if you were in the car? >> I don't know. I don't >> This is Come here for a second. Come here for a second. Come here for a second. >> It's cold. >> I understand. That's why I asked you to stop. You want to make those tickets disappear? >> I got to go to court. They don't disappear. >> You want to make them disappear? >> And And how I'm going to do that? >> You be nice to me and you cooperate >> and I'll make them disappear. All I asked you was to get your foot out the door and I'll do exactly what you said. >> Look at me for a second. >> That little girl mother is putting everybody else situation in harm's way. >> We don't know that. >> That little boy cannot be in no He cannot be in no trouble. >> The mom reported Jana missing her Johnny missing last night. They asked us to come here >> and they came here last night. We came here last night, >> and they refused to open the door, whether it was Don or the other boy that was in here, >> refused to open the door, refused to speak to us. Problem number one. Problem number two comes to tonight when you refuse to cooperate. He refuses to tell us what his name is. Everybody wants to refuse. The only thing that does is create a problem for you and everybody else. Now, you don't know where two 15year-olds are. >> The other one, >> his grandma probably came to get them. That's what I'm trying to say. They're not supposed to be out this late. It's coming up on curfew. >> Exactly. >> They can get arrested. >> They sure can. >> They can get hurt. >> And if they get hurt, guess who it's going to come back to? >> Me. And why? That's why I'm >> That's right. Now you understand. Now you understand why we try and do our job. And when you impede us from doing our job, it makes things worse. Now you're at worse. I'm going to do you this favor. You come to court on March 19th >> and I'll make those tickets disappear. >> Okay? I need to see you in in that courtroom on that morning and you tell me that we're sorry. We're all sorry for all this, okay? And I'll make them disappear. But moving forward, do not obstruct. Do not refuse to cooperate. Do not cause a problem for the police. >> All right? >> When we ask your name, it's very simple. We just want to know who you are. We need we need to know who the juveniles are in case they're missing. >> Right? >> We have a job to do. So, see if you can find Don and the other friend. And when you find them, call the police department and let us know that you found them. Otherwise, it's going to be a big problem and it's going to come back to you. >> But >> because they were in your apartment. >> I'm pretty sure the he had one of the apartments over here. >> Okay. But we don't know that. >> He ain't he can't go. >> And then the the other boy, Reggie, I'm assuming it's Reggie. >> That's a big problem. You don't fight with the police. He was fighting. The police was fighting him. He He did not touch that man. >> He got in the way when I was trying to come to get me >> cuz you was grabbing me by my leg >> because I told you you were under arrest. I told you never tell me. >> I told you when you were standing up there that I was going to arrest you if I got my hands on you. I told you that very clearly more than one time. Okay. >> Okay. I'm going to go eat. >> Go. Good luck. Ultimately, Marjgerie Carter was charged with obstructing identification and resisting arrest. She was released with two citations and ordered to appear in court on March the 19th, 2025. As for the missing teen, authorities later confirmed that she had been staying with friends and was safely returned to her parents. Not all runaway teens are victims, as this boy decided to pull the trigger on the very cop who tried to ensure his safety. Stand >> right here. 21. You got to stand up. >> What' I do? >> Come on. Turn around. >> What? >> Look. Turn around. >> Officer. >> On November the 6th, 2017, officer Angelina Bakini White was conducting a routine patrol when she spotted a 15-year-old male identified as William Patterson, who was already known to authorities as a runaway teen. She immediately stopped him and placed him in her patrol vehicle to verify his identity and ensure he could be safely returned to his guardians. >> Stand right here. >> 221. >> What's your location? >> Phillips and Hickory. [clears throat] >> Come on. You got to stand up. >> What' I do? >> Come on. Turn around. >> What? >> Look. Turn around. >> From the officer's perspective, she was acting in the best interest of the youngster and assisting his family. But the moment she began conducting a standard search, the situation took a sudden turn for the worse. Officer Officer Sh Officer >> All right. >> Help me. >> Where's your radio? Help me. >> Where's your radio? >> Where are we? Officer, help. >> Hey, you got an officer down 2500 block Hickory Street. Female officer down on 2500 block of Hickory Street. >> It was William Patterson. Black jacket, black shorts, uh, black pants, you all. Come on, hang with me. Hang with me. Hey, help. Come around. >> Where's your turn one button? >> It's the red button. Help. >> Officer down. Officer down. 2500 block of Hickory Street. Oh, stay still. Stay down. Stay down. >> William reportedly ran in the opposite direction while the wounded officer lay in shock, but he wasn't able to run far because within the next second backup arrived. >> Where'd he go? >> Take your hair first. >> I don't know where he took off. >> Where you shot? >> Stay with me. Stay with me. Where are you shot? Arms and leg. >> I got you, babe. I got you. Stay with me. Okay. >> Watch my back, man. >> I got you. >> Watch my back. >> I got her. Good. >> 423. See, secure. Get a medic, boys. >> He took off. Okay. He's >> okay. Hold on. >> Uh, senior citizen village. Let me tell him. Stay with me. Okay. You hear me? >> Huh? >> Stay with me. Stay with me. Okay, sweetheart. I got you. I got you. Stay with me. Stay with me. Okay. Talk to me. Okay. Where else? Where? Where's your turn? Get your turn. Give me a tourniquet. Turn. I got it. I got it. Relax. Listen. Relax. Where's >> We got ran off. >> Give a description. Give me a bolo. Get a bolo out. >> All right. Where else you in the arm? She said the arm. >> Said the arm. Sweetheart. Come here. >> Look at me. Look at me. Hold my hand. >> What's the description? Give me the description. >> William Patter. >> William Patter. Put that out. Put that out. 423 suspect is William Patterson took off on foot towards I believe Romanes. >> Put me on scene. 44 scene. >> Hey, set up a perimeter. Set up a perimeter. >> Yeah. Whoever else is responding can be perimeter. All right. >> Where you hurting at, sweetie? Right there. Right here. Right here. It's okay. Hey, look at me. We're going to get you. We're going to get you help. Okay, look. You train for this, sweetheart. You train for this. Okay, take your hand down. You train for this. Okay, >> the suspect took off. >> Look, you trained for this. Look at me. Okay, look at me. We trained for this. You're tough. All right. >> All right. It's right here, Rod. >> Go, go, go, go. >> All right. Just we need perimeter units. >> We need perimeter units. All right, he's on foot. >> We got this. All right, get the medics in. >> Set up a perimeter. Will Patterson. >> During the encounter, Officer White sustained multiple wounds, suffering severe life-threatening injuries, and was transported to the hospital immediately. As for William Patterson, he wouldn't make it far before justice finally caught up with him. Standby. Get out of the ground. [screaming] GET ON THE GROUND. DO NOT MOVE. DO NOT MOVE. STOP. EASY. EASY. I got to go down. Slow down. >> I got I got you. >> Got him. >> YOU DON'T MOVE. WHERE'S THE >> Where's the Oh no. >> Officer White underwent emergency surgery and remained under intensive care for more than two weeks. Although she survived the attack, she was left with permanent nerve damage that significantly impacted her mobility and daily life. Patterson was later charged with a wide range of serious offenses, including malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, attempted capital murder, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated malicious wounding, discharging a firearm in a school zone, multiple counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, an escape by force. In 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to more than 80 years in prison. Speaking of runaway teens being caught, this was the moment deputies rescued a missing 13-year-old girl from the clutches of an older 22-year-old guy. >> Sheriff's office, back up. Have a seat on the couch. How old are you? >> How old is he? >> Too old. >> In February 2021, deputies from the Valuchia County Sheriff's Office received a frantic call from a grandmother reporting her 13-year-old granddaughter missing. The girl had failed to return home from school and had even missed a scheduled basketball game, immediately raising concerns. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, deputies treated the case as high risk from the outset and began an intensive search. As the investigation unfolded, deputies uncovered a deeply troubling detail. Interviews with the girl's friends revealed that she had been communicating online with an adult man who had gradually groomed her and ultimately arranged to meet her in person at a local motel. This revelation shifted the case from a missing person's report to a far more dangerous and time-sensitive situation. On February the 19th, Deputy Royce James, who had been assigned to the case, initiated a doortodoor search of nearby motel, determined to locate the girl before it was too late. >> I'm missing a um a juvenile left school and um possibly was picked up by a guy here. I I'm kind of wanting to get an idea of who he is. And >> what time am I going to look for? >> I'm looking at today from school gets out around 3:15ish. So I'm thinking 3 to 3:30. >> I mean, is that like a super super recent picture though? >> She says she looks pretty much like this. It might It looks pretty close to her. >> Let's see if she's >> I can Yeah, I can see. Hold on. Let me there's any other angles of her. a better job. >> Hello. >> Um, hey, my name is Deputy James. I'm wondering if um a juvenile and another person checked in here earlier today. >> I have not. >> Have you seen that her? No. She would have been here with an unknown probably male. >> Hello. >> Hi. How are you? >> I'm good. >> I'm looking for a juvenile that >> looks to be ran away from home today >> and we have information she may have checked in to a local hotel with an adult. Um, this is what she looks like. Um, any check-ins today? >> Only one check in before I came in. >> As Deputy James moved from one location to another, the pressure intensified. Time seemed to be working against him, and with every passing moment, the chances of finding the girl seemed to diminish. The only information available about the suspect was minimal. A name that began with the letter T. >> I'm [snorts] investigating a um a runaway juvenile. >> Okay. >> That supposedly checked into a local hotel. >> Okay. >> Today with an adult, most likely. I don't know what he looks like or anything. Um this is what she looks like. >> All right. Someone checked in earlier when I wasn't here. So, let me check though. >> Oh, perfect. Okay. >> Yeah. Well, her she's only 13. So, I I don't know the person she's with. >> So, it would have been whoever she's with. Yeah. She doesn't even have an ID. She's again only 13. >> You know who is she an older person or you have no ID? >> The person she's with? No clue. >> Well, check out this this person that checked in today. Where's this guy? >> I think this is him. They said his name started with a T, possibly Tyler. >> For the first time, Deputy James had a concrete lead. Without hesitation, he proceeded directly to the room associated with the name, aware of what he was about to encounter. >> Front office. Anybody inside? We need to come in for a second. Sheriff's office. Back up. Have a seat on the couch. >> Where's >> What's up, sweetheart? Sheriff's office. Get Peppy up here. Go in the bedroom and wait for me for a second. Upon entering, the circumstances inside the room confirmed the male's intentions, identified as Tyler Thompson. But the real shocker came when Deputy James began asking Tyler Thompson some welldeserved questions. >> How [snorts] old are you? 501 text. >> Just waiting there for me. So you have a Are you okay? >> Do you need any >> Are you hurt at all? >> You're not hurt at all? >> Your stomach hurts? Okay, we're going to be right with you. Okay. >> Yeah, you go. >> How old are you? >> If I ask you that question again, I'm going lose my mind. How old are you? >> 22. >> Oh, you up. >> Yeah, you up real good. You're on. >> Yes, I am. I found him. >> How old is he? >> Too old. >> All right, I'm on the way. >> Copy. >> You sure you're okay, sweetheart? >> The girl was safely recovered and returned to her family where she received both medical attention and psychological support. The suspect, Tyler Thompson, was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple offenses, including interference with child custody and using a computer to lure an underage person, along with related charges under Florida law. He was later sentenced to 40 years in prison. The previous case could have taken a tragic turn, and so could have this one if officers hadn't arrived just in time to save a 14-year-old teenager from five sinister men. >> Oh, Jeff. Oh, Jeff. Jeff. Holy smokes. What in the world are you? How old are you? You're 14. Okay. You're 14. You look 14. Why are you with these guys? >> And I was thinking just going to California. >> There's five of them and one little baby girl. I'm guessing it's some sort of trafficking thing. They said they were going to California. >> On June the 17th, 2024, a frantic father in Indiana reported his 14-year-old daughter missing. She was last seen leaving in a black sports vehicle. The police began tracking her phone and the signal led them across state lines into Missouri where officers arrived on a remote roadway. What the deputies were met with could only be described as a parents worst nightmare. DRIVER, PUT YOUR HANDS OUT THE WINDOW. OH, JEFF. OH, JEFF. JEFF. Holy smokes. What in the world? ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN NOW. ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN NOW. ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. [screaming] ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. >> ROLL ALL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN NOW. [screaming] PUT YOUR HANDS UP. >> WINDOWS, >> JEFF. I can't SEE YOU, JEFF. ROLL ALL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN. JEFF, I CAN'T SEE YOU. >> OKAY, I'm I'm >> roll your windows DOWN NOW. ROLL THEM DOWN. ROLL THEM DOWN NOW. ROLL THEM DOWN. ROLL THEM DOWN. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. HANDS UP. EVERYBODY HANDS UP. Everybody hands up. Who's in the back? >> Okay. All right, everybody keep their hands up. Hear me? >> Yeah. >> Uh, okay. Well, I'm Trooper Sap. We're doing investigative sap. Okay. Anybody got ID? >> Are you How old are you? You're 14. Okay. >> Knowing her age left little doubt in the officer's mind of the men's sinister intentions. However, what followed would reveal an even more disturbing layer to the incident. >> All right, don't anybody move. Jeff, do you got them? >> Okay, start opening the door. You got ID. >> Give me ID. >> ID. >> ID. >> No, no, your hands. >> Yeah, put your hands up. Hands. Thank you. What about you, sir? Your driver. Okay. You have a driver's license? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. One, two, three, four. I need one more ID. Yeah. ID. >> You got it. Okay. All right. I'mma I'm going to pull her out. Okay. You're going to need to come out and open that seat up. >> Yep. >> No. No. No. No. No. Nope. Step out, Miss. We've got her. I don't know if we need to go ahead and start putting the handcuffs on people. I don't know where John's at. Hey, Jeff. I don't I think we need to start putting handcuffs on people right now. And I've only got one on me. I think we need to start handcuffing everybody. And I don't know where John went. Step out. Put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. Step out. Put your hands behind your back. See? See? Turn around. Turn around. Turn around. Why don't you come over here? Come here. Sit. Sit down. All right. You come with me. Honey, what are you doing with these guys? Go ahead and sit there. You sit there. I need cuffs. Do you have a couple sets of cuffs? >> We're in the process of securing them. Okay. Hop out. >> Okay. You over here. >> Down right here beside him. Just kn just kneel down. >> So, you speak English? >> Ah, so slow. >> Okay. >> Like, >> oh god, I didn't know you had one more. >> I'm going to go back and start see what's going on. >> As officers moved in to restrain the five suspects, one officer broke away to check on the teenager who he found in an unusually quiet and detached state despite having just been removed from a potentially dangerous situation. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we got a call about you, obviously. Uh, you're 14. You look 14. Why are you with these guys? >> Nothing. We're just going to California. >> California. You're without your parents' knowledge. None of these are your parents, right? >> No. >> Okay. That's why we got called. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> All right. And in case I didn't tell you, I am Trooper Sap Honduras. How did you meet these guys? >> H >> How did you meet these guys? Um, they are my friends. >> They are way older than you. So, you don't understand why your parents called you. You're not in trouble with your parents. You're not under arrest or anything. >> Girl, girl, girl, girl. I'm going to guess in at some point your parents are going to want to talk to you. Do you have your you have your phone with you? >> Have they been trying to call you? >> Yeah. >> You want to call them while we're sitting here and I'll talk to them? They don't speak English. >> They don't speak English. >> No. >> Where are they from? >> Guatemala. >> They're from Guatemala. So, the situation is is your your parents have called. I guess they saw you had left with these guys. So, did they hurt you at all? >> No. They mean good to me. >> Yeah. Why were you going to California with them? >> To save him. >> Your family or their family? >> From my family. >> Your family? But your parents? Their Their parents? Do they know any of these gentlemen? >> No, but I told him that I wanted to go to see family. >> Do you realize you're for You're 14. You're still a kid. >> Yeah. >> And if you were my kid, I would be mad, crazy, upset, worried about you. And I'm sure they are, too. Don't you think? Cuz they called. >> Yeah. >> That's how that's why we um are doing this. And I'm glad you're okay cuz I was worried that we would stop these guys and you would not be with them, but your phone would. I was really worried about you. Do you want to call your parents real quick? I mean, you can talk to them and um I can use my app if I need to talk to them. I could try, >> but I think my dad is working. >> No, your dad is I I doubt it. So, give give him a call, please. And he's not answering. >> No. >> Where does he What? It's It's 2:30 in the morning. Is he at work at 2:30 in the morning? >> Yeah. >> Where's your mom? >> I think he's sleeping. >> Okay. I'm going to step out to the back of my car and talk to an another officer. Okay, just stay right in here. >> The teen appeared reluctant and resistant toward contacting her parents, which further complicated the situation. Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, the officer decided to take matters into her own hands. >> I'm probably going to need some help. I'm probably going to need a lot a lot of help. There's five Hispanic. She's with them. I got her. She's safe. She says they have not harmed her, but she left with them. They're I mean the youngest she's 14, youngest is 19 and they go up to you know 50 some odd year old 54 year old. So there's five of them and one little baby girl. I'm guessing it's some sort of trafficking thing. They said they were going to California and they don't speak English. One of them kind of speaks English. There's four of only one's legal and four of them are they're all illegal. cuz you got it. >> Give me your phone. >> Huh? >> Give me your phone. >> So, what is she saying? >> She's going to California this year. Family with five strangers. She just met. She's 14. She looks 10. >> Oh, yeah. I've seen her. >> According to their documents, they've all got identification. Um, four out of the five is definitely 100% illegal. The other one, the one driving at least has a valid driver's license. The biggest thing I need to do now is >> call ICE. Unless you want your vehicle towed. >> Huh? >> We can lock up your vehicle and leave it here. Is that your vehicle? >> Yes, mine. >> Yours? Okay. >> Do you want to tow? Oh, you guys are all going to jail. >> Everybody. >> Why? >> Well, we'll talk about that. Okay. Either you talk to me or you don't talk to me, but you're still going to go to jail. You got a 14-year-old girl with you. >> Yeah. the the family told me. >> Well, that's not why we're here. >> All right. I'm ready to be off of this highway. Okay. We are going to go into town, which is just like right here. And I'm going to take you into the sheriff's department. And there's a juvenile officer lady, nice ladies, that's gonna come talk to you and figure out what to do and contact be in contact hopefully with your mom where you can be reunited with your mom. You can't run away at 14. Not until you're 18. >> Okay. >> Then you can do what you want. Okay. 14 14 not so much. You can't be with five men that aren't that you're not supposed to. >> I talked to the officer that took a report from your parents and said that you told your parents you weren't coming out. Is that right? >> Yeah. The surprises didn't end with the arrests of the five men down at the station when the officers began questioning the suspects. Even though they wanted answers, they would soon come to find that they were not ready for them. >> Okay, you're going to be speaking to Carlos here with me. >> Why was with you brother? Did you know she was 14 years old? >> No. 19. >> Your brother? Her brother? >> Yes. >> Is one of those gentlemen her brother? No. >> Who is her brother? >> Do you have children? I was born. >> Does that little girl look close to your daughter's age? >> No. >> How old do you think she looks? >> 19. The people you small guy. >> Do you understand you're being arrested for Five suspects with a possible onion on a 14-year-old female. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We've interviewed a few of them and none of them know who she is and they just picked her up to take her to work out in they've been saying Kansas. Kansas and California is kind of the places they've been talking about and they thought that that she was 19. Couple of them, one of them said they're going to go out to California to work, the state of California, and then the rest of them in saying Kansas out to work. I don't know what kind of work they're doing out there. That makes sense. >> Yeah, it just makes sense. They're lying. That's all. >> You're right. >> That's all that's all I hear with that. All five suspects were ultimately charged with and endangering the welfare of a young