A Louisiana man faces multiple felony charges, including human trafficking, after he allegedly abducted a 14-year-old girl from Tennessee across state lines for sex during Christmas week and then dumped her in the woods, authorities said. It was done. .
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said: statement Alexander Mattern, 28, met a 14-year-old girl from Tennessee through an online video game.
“You can't make something like this up. It's a Christmas miracle that she was found safe. This could have ended badly.”
Detectives said Mattern drove to Tennessee to pick up the girl from his home and took her to his home in St. Rose, Louisiana, where the two allegedly engaged in illegal sexual acts.
After the sexual encounter, the boy disclosed that he was a minor, police said.
Mattern then allegedly drove the 14-year-old girl to a remote, wooded area in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. The suspects allegedly left her in the woods with a tent, food and water.
After abandoning the teen, Materne reportedly went to a family Christmas celebration in Jennings, Louisiana, about 250 miles away.
The girl had been missing for several days, but her parents allegedly tracked Mattern down to Louisiana using an online tip.
“The woman's family learned of the relationship between Ms. Materne and Ms. Jennings and contacted them to confirm the safety of Ms. Materne and the woman,” the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement. “Mathern was located at the Jennings family residence.”
Police in Louisiana disrupted a Christmas party and questioned Mattern. The suspect allegedly told detectives he left the boy in the woods and provided investigators with the missing girl's whereabouts.
Authorities found the missing boy, who was said to be in good health. She was taken to a hospital for tests and then transported to her home in Tennessee.
On the other hand, Materne arrested He was charged on Christmas Day with aggravated kidnapping of a child and felony counts of human trafficking and carnal knowledge.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Stecker praised the parents of the missing girl for launching their own investigation and tracking down the suspected child sex offender.
“They were the key to everything” sticker said About the girl's parents. “We're saying if they want a job, we'll hire these parents as investigators.”
Mr Sticker added: “You can't make something like this up. It's a Christmas miracle that she was found safely. This incident could have ended badly.”
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Register here!
