A 16-year-old girl was reported missing by North Carolina police after she was seen in another vehicle on Interstate 75 in Southern Kentucky. The driver noticed her distress signaling and called authorities.
According to a news release by Laurel Couty Sheriff John Root, the driver of the car that had the girl inside was charged with unlawful imprisonment and possession material showing a minor performing sexual acts.
Roots office spokesperson Gilbert Acciardo said that Brick and Deputy Gilbert Acciardo were friends.
Acciardo stated that the girl initially went with Brick to travel, but she became scared as they traveled.
Acciardo stated Friday that she believes she began to fear for her life.
Roots office reports that the girl's parents reported her missing in Asheville, N.C. on Tuesday morning.
Thursday, at noon, a driver heading south on I-75 called 9-1-1 Laurel County. He said that while following a silver Toyota sedan, he noticed a young girl inside the vehicle making hand gestures that he recognized on the social media platform TikTok. This was a request for assistance, according to the news release.
The girl appeared also to be in distress.
The driver, whose identity was not disclosed, followed the Toyota, giving updates to dispatchers on their location.
To watch out for the vehicle, sheriff's officers were stationed at the KY 80 interchange with I-75. The driver exited at this point and was stopped by police.
After she left Brick with her, the 16-year-old girl said that they had traveled from North Carolina to Tennessee and Kentucky to Ohio. Brick had family nearby.
Brick drove south on I-75 after learning the girl's age and reporting her missing. The news release said that the girl began trying to attract attention from other motorists.
The news release stated that officers found a cellphone in Bricks' possession that contained images of a young female character.
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Brick was taken into custody by Robert Reed and Lt. Chris Edwards, both detectives with Roots Office.
The case was assisted by the Kentucky State Police, London Police, Asheville and Cherokee Police Departments, the FBI, and Kentucky social workers.
Acciardo stated that arrangements were being made for the girl's return to North Carolina on Friday.
Brick was held Friday at the Laurel County Correctional Center under a $10,000 bond.
