A 32-year-old Virginia man has been charged by authorities there with abduction for allegedly facilitating Abbie Hauer’s efforts to runaway from her home Nov. 29.
The suspect, Terrence Hall-Stephenson, 32, of Hampton, Va., is also being investigated by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department related to this case. Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley said his department is working toward bringing charges against the defendant as well.
It is a case that exemplifies the need for parents to monitor and supervise their children’s social media access, he said.
“Child predators are normally desperate to find their next victim,” the chief said. “They will stop at nothing to recruit, solicit and provoke children to act.
“For an adult stranger to travel from another state to transport a child from our community to another state is an extremely serious example of how far someone will go to find their next victim.
“Abbie is a very lucky young lady. Thank goodness she’s back home safe.
“If nothing,” the chief said in his statement, “let this serve as notice to have talks with your children about online predators lurking where they least expect it.”
Investigators have learned, thus far, Abbie, a 13-year-old city girl, met the suspect through an online chat room.
He allegedly helped lay a plan for him to travel to Ohio and pick up Abbie in the middle of the night. The two then traveled to his Virginia home.
By Dec. 1, Abbie was located safe and has since returned home.
Bellefontaine police detectives worked with Virginia authorities last week to locate the suspect.
Chief Standley is grateful for their assistance and for guidance from Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart on handling the investigation.