Young Girl Allegedly Chewed Through Restraints to Escape Kidnapper
Police received a call from a concerned driver Monday morning, August 1, involving a 12-year-old girl seen walking alone along County Road 34 in Dadeville, Alabama, according to Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett.
Little did police know how sinister the details of this case would become.
The young girl was reportedly tied to a bed post for about a week and given alcohol in order to keep her subdued. The brave girl was able to chew through her restraints, resulting in her braces breaking, according to a criminal complaint.
Thanks to the girl’s heroic actions, police and U.S. Marshals arrested Jose Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37, about 25 miles away on the suspicion of first-degree kidnapping.
When police entered Pascual-Reyes’ mobile home, they made a gruesome discovery. They found the remains of two decomposing bodies, as reported by the sheriff.
After forensic testing, it was concluded that the decomposing bodies belonged to the victim’s mother and brother, as reported by The New York Times. Pascual-Reyes has also been accused of abuse of a corpse and multiple counts of capital murder.
He is currently being held without bond.
Police believe that the girl had been held captive since July 24th, the same day that her mother and brother were murdered.
Sheriff Abbett reported that the young girl has received medical treatment and has been placed with child welfare.
“She’s a hero,” said Sheriff Abbett during a press conference on Tuesday. “She’s safe now and … we want to keep her that way.”
The identity of the victims have not been released to the public as of yet, nor whether or not Pascual-Reyes has more victims.
While details of the case are still being investigated, one thing is certain; the victim has suffered severe trauma that she may never heal from. Thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and others impacted by this horrific event.
