Abducted Teen Found in Ohio, Not East Texas

DOTHAN, ALA. (AP) — FBI agents have safely recovered an abducted Alabama teenager, who was thought to be in East Texas, in Ohio.

Dothan police Sgt. Rachel David said that federal agents found Ailene Mariz Lander, 15, early Saturday. Authorities have taken her stepfather, Charles Dean Partin, 36, and mother, Julie Ann Bethke, into custody. It was not immediately clear whether they will face criminal charges. David said law enforcement officials have also recovered five siblings.

There was a report Thursday that the kidnapped girl and her alleged abductors had been spotted in San Augustine, Texas. Officials say a man believed to be the child’s primary abductor came into the First Baptist Church in San Augustine around 7:30 Thursday morning and asked the pastor for gas money. They were said to have been seen in a green minivan, which matched the description of the vehicle they are believed to be in. Authorities say they’ve determined the van was a stolen 2003 green Toyota Sienna.

Alabama authorities had asked East Texans to be on high alert. According to the Dothan, Ala., Police Department, shortly after 1:00 Monday afternoon, officers were dispatched to reports of a kidnapping in front of the Southeast Alabama Medical Center. When police arrived, an employee with the hospital told them she had taken Lander to the medical center for an appointment. While at the office, the worker and Lander were approached by Partin. Police say Partin grabbed the teen and put her inside a van, then left the parking lot.