A 12-year-old South Carolina girl who was abducted and later rescued from a white couple’s home in Arkansas told officers she “wanted her momma” when they found her, authorities said.
According to the Independence County Sheriff’s Department, Brandon Lee Britten, 31, and Sierra Dawn Britten, 28, were arrested in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of the child on Sept. 9.
Brandon is charged with rape, internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of unlawful sex act with a minor, per authorities. Sierra is charged with accomplice of rape, accomplice of internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex with a minor.
The case came to light after the Independence County Sheriff’s Department in Arkansas was contacted by law enforcement in South Carolina “regarding an abducted child possibly being in the northern area of Independence County,” a news release states.
According to a probable cause for arrest affidavit obtained by reporters, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office had “creditable information that the child had been taken from the area in a black Chevy Malibu” with Arkansas plates.
Officers were able to trace the vehicle to Brandon’s home in Independence County, per the affidavit, which notes they located the Chevy Malibu outside and “after numerous attempts to get someone at the door,” the couple exited the residence.
Brandon was taken into custody “after acknowledging that the 12-year-old abducted minor was inside the home,” according to the affidavit.
Sierra blocked the officers’ way into the home, “trying to keep me from locating the 12-year-old,” Lt. Zach Rawlins wrote in the affidavit. “Sierra, actively resisting, had to be physically removed from the home so the minor could be located.”
The child was found in a back bathroom “with her face and hands against the wall shaking,” according to Rawlins. “After telling her who I was, the minor thanked me for coming to get her, and said she wanted her momma.”
The girl was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County for a forensic interview and medical examination, according to the sheriff’s office news release.
The victim told police she met the couple on the Internet and “she thought she was going to be in a relationship with a 15-year-old boy and Sierra was his roommate,” the affidavit states.
She also alleged that after she arrived at the Brittens’ home, Brandon took her into a bedroom and sexually assaulted her.
In an interview with police, Sierra “initially claimed that she believed the child was 18 years old old but then claimed that she believed the child was 14,” according to the affidavit.
“Sierra provided that she had planned Brandon’s trip to South Carolina around her work schedule so he could use the car to pick up the child,” the affidavit states. “Sierra also confirmed that after getting the child back to their home, Brandon had taken the child back into their bedroom while she slept in their young son’s bedroom.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the girl has since been reunited with her parents.
Both Brandon and Sierra are being held on $1,000,000 bond.
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