The child had the opportunity to seek help when the man stopped to do his laundry in Long Beach, over 1,300 miles away from San Antonio, according to prosecutors who accused the man of sexually abusing the girl repeatedly.

A federal indictment has been filed against an alleged kidnapper who is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year old girl while she was being taken from Texas to California at gunpoint.

Federal prosecutors claim that the young teen waved an "help me" sign in Long Beach, in Los Angeles County to a passerby who led to her rescue.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne in Texas, was charged with kidnapping a minor and transporting a child with the intent to engage criminal sexual activity.

According to Fox 11, his arraignment will take place in downtown Los Angeles on July 31.

The girl was allegedly forced to enter a gray Nissan Sentra by a gunman in San Antonio, Texas on July 6, according to prosecutors. Sablan is reported to have driven off after asking the girl for her age. She reportedly replied that she was 13 years old.

Sablan told the girl he would take her to Australia to visit a friend, but she first had to "do something for him." Prosecutors claim that Sablan sexually abused the girl on the trip to California.

Three days after Sablan's initial abduction, it is reported that he parked his Sentra in a laundry to wash the victims' clothes.

While her alleged kidnapper was away, the girl wrote the words "Help Me", and displayed the note to passersby. This prompted the 9-1-1 call.

The child was mouthing "help" to the police officers when they arrived.

After Sablan was arrested by local law enforcement, the investigation began.

Wally Hebeish, Long Beach Police Chief said: "I would like to commend the community for its vigilance and willingness of members to call 9-1-1." This incident shows the crucial role that community members play in ensuring people's safety. "I would like to thank our officers for the swift response they took to get this victim to safety."

When police searched the vehicle of Sablan, prosecutors say they found a handcuffs and a "help me" message, as well as BB guns in black.

The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that the missing child was initially reported as a San Antonio runaway.

Sablan faces the possibility of life imprisonment in federal prison if convicted.

You or someone you love has recently been the victim of sexual assault. There is help available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network provides a 24-hour national sexual assault hotline, 1-800-656-4673.

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Title: 13-Year-Old Girl Waves 'Help Me' Note at CA Laundromat After Being Kidnapped in Texas: Prosecutors
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/07/21/13-year-old-girl-waves-help-me-after-kidnapped-in-texas/
Published Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 22:23:05 +0000

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