Missing Hollister Girl Found Safe; Father Accused Of Sexual Assault
HOLLISTER (CBS SF) - A missing 13-year-old Hollister girl was found safe and sound Wednesday morning, and her father - suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting her - was arrested, according to authorities.
An Amber Alert was canceled after it had been issued when the girl was reported missing around 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to law enforcement officials. She had been identified in earlier reports before the allegations of sexual assault.
Authorities said officers found the girl and her father, Marcelino Ramirez, with the help of an alert driver.
At 4:30 a.m. a driver going south on Interstate Highway 15 just north of Interstate Highway 215 in San Bernardino County recognized the vehicle from the alert, a white 1997 Honda Odyssey with California license plate No. 3WAN638, according to authorities.
The driver called 911 and the California Highway Patrol was then able to find the suspected vehicle, according to the CHP. Officers pulled the car over without incident and confirmed the driver was Marcelino Ramirez, the CHP said.
The girl's mother told authorities that her husband has a history of violence, Lamonica said.
Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of child abduction and sexual assault. He was booked into San Bernardino Jail.
Ramirez and his daughter were the only two people in the car, according to authorities. CHP Sgt. Tony Lamonica said the girl did not appear to be injured but detectives were still
interviewing her.
Anyone with information about the abduction is asked to call (831) 636-4101.
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