WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — A witness says a 6-year-old North Carolina girl found following an 18-hour search was chained to a tree when deputies located her.
New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon says the child was found Thursday morning about 2 miles from her home near Wilmington.
The witness, Jason Mehalko, tells local news outlets he loaned deputies a saw which they used to free the girl.
Authorities did not immediately confirm the child was chained, but an arrest warrant says she was unlawfully confined and restrained.
A registered sex offender, 46-year-old Douglas Edwards, has been charged with kidnapping and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
He’s being held on $9 million bond and was to appear in court Friday. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney.
Information from: The StarNews, http://starnewsonline.com
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