Crime & Courts

Missing 6-year-old girl found during Kansas traffic stop; two men arrested

(Feb. 25, 2023)
(Feb. 25, 2023) The Wichita Eagle

A traffic stop in Kansas led to a kidnapped 6-year-old girl being recovered and two men arrested.

The Kansas Highway Patrol posted about the incident on social media Saturday, but did not say when or where it occurred.

A trooper in the agency’s criminal interdiction unit stopped an SUV for a traffic violation. Inside the vehicle were two men in their 60s and a young girl in the backseat.

During the stop, the trooper learned that the front passenger had a warrant for his arrest from another state for kidnapping a 6-year-old girl just over a month ago. The driver had a criminal history including homicide and numerous other weapons violations, the KHP said.

The girl in the SUV looked to be the age of that of the missing girl, the trooper observed.

The trooper and a local sheriff’s office deputy detained the men and were able to get the girl out of the vehicle. The girl initially gave the trooper a fake name and date of birth, having been instructed to. The trooper calmed the girl down and got her to say her real name and age.

“She was the kidnapping victim, who had been with this suspect for over a month on the run,” according to the KHP. “Thankfully the men were taken into custody.”

Eduardo Castillo
The Wichita Eagle
Eduardo covers crime and breaking news for The Wichita Eagle. His previous work experience includes stints at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, the local CBS affiliate in Wichita, and as a marketing manager for a local real estate team. In addition to writing, Eduardo also enjoys still photography and cinematography. News tips? email at Edcastillo@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6213.
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