W. Va. Couple Happy To Have Daughter Back, Angry With Suspect
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The parents of a kidnapped toddler are saying thank you today to the Good Samaritan who stopped to give their little girl a ride when he spotted her and her alleged abductor walking along a roadway in Washington County.
The suspect is accused of stealing at least two vehicles, one in West Virginia and the other in Washington County, and leading police on a wild chase into Baldwin.
John Parks is happy to have his daughter back, but he's very angry with the man arrested for kidnapping the child and leading police on a chase across two counties.
"All I got to say is, he's lucky the cops got a hold of him first," said Parks. "I had, like, half of Preston County looking for him, too."
Parks says the suspect, Timothy White, was staying at their apartment above a convenience store in Reedsville, which is near Morgantown, W. Va.
On Friday, investigator say White stole a car and kidnapped Parks' 2-year-old daughter, Starr. White abandoned the car near an exit on Interstate 79.
They eventually made it to Richeyville in Washington County.
Stephanie Parks, the child's mother, says she doesn't know why White would take her daughter.
"No clue, no clue at all. He had no reason to," she said. "Made her walk with no shoes on, and she just had surgery."
A Good Samaritan saw White walking with the young child in the bitter cold and gave them a ride. The couple is thanking that man, James Weid.
"Thank you for finding my daughter because if it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't have got her back," Stephanie said.
"You have no idea how much I appreciate you, man. You brought back the only thing in this world that matters to me, besides my wife," added John.
Police say White left the child with Weid and then stole a van. He headed north toward Finleyville, and was eventually arrested in Baldwin after leading police on a wild chase.
White is locked up in the Allegheny County Jail.
He's charged with aggravated assault on five police officers, resisting arrest, fleeing police and recklessly endangering another person. In addition, he faces charges of kidnapping and vehicle theft.
RELATED LINKS:
Alleged Abductor Arrested, 2-Year-Old Found Unharmed (2/8/13)
Abducted W. Va. Child Reunited With Her Mother (2/8/13)
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