(DailyChive.com) – A 14-year-old girl, Ella, reported missing from her Mount Vernon home nearly a month ago, was found safe in Michigan on Thursday, February 1. The discovery brought relief to authorities and Ella’s family, who had been desperately searching for her.
The discovery followed extensive search efforts and a collaborative investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Officials identified the man responsible for her disappearance as 30-year-old Keith Freerksen, who had a previous conviction for possessing illicit child media in 2017. Authorities speculated that Ella might have met Freerksen using a ride-share service on January 5, as Mount Vernon had limited ride-share options. Through diligent investigation, authorities traced a specific ride that Ella might have taken, leading them to Freerksen’s address in South Haven, Michigan.
Following the discovery, authorities determined there was probable cause to charge Freerksen with second-degree kidnapping, as he had purchased a vehicle to transport Ella across state lines. The police wasted no time in contacting Ella’s parents, who were excited upon hearing the news of their daughter’s safety.
Lt. Dave Shackleton of the Mount Vernon Police Department commended the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, particularly the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, for their instrumental role in Ella’s safe recovery.
Meanwhile, Ella’s mother had been tirelessly working with friends to post flyers in the area, hoping to bring her daughter back safely. She revealed that she believed Ella had been communicating with someone over social media before her disappearance.
According to her, Ella was seen video chatting with an adult male on a video on their computer, possibly through a social platform called Omegle. Omegle is a social site that allows users to meet random strangers. However, the site reportedly shut down in November.
Describing her concerns, Ella’s mother likened the platform to a “roulette,” matching users with random people, highlighting the dangers associated with online interactions.
Freerksen is now facing serious charges, including failure to register as a sex offender, contributing to delinquency with children, and first-degree criminal sexual assault. He remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings at the time of this report.
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