NORTON, Mass. — Police have charged a 32-year-old Brockton man with kidnapping after a 6-year-old Norton girl disappeared Friday afternoon.
The girl was reported missing around 11:50 a.m. Police searched for hours for the girl, who was found safe, but in an unfamiliar man's car. Witnesses told police they saw a child talking to a man in a dark-colored sedan on Foundry Street.
@boston25 viewer snapped this photo of Avery Howard being taken into custody after being found w/the missing girl. More at 10/11. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/RDKSKopmcv
— Erica Ricci (@RicciReports) May 27, 2017
Around 2:45 p.m., Easton police saw a vehicle matching that description and stopped it. They found the missing 6-year-old in the back seat. Police say she was unharmed and uninjured.
The driver was identified as 32-year-old Avery Howard of Brockton. He was arrested and is charged with kidnapping, assault and battery.
#BREAKING: 32-year-old Brockton man charged with kidnapping in disappearance of 6-year-old Norton girl. https://t.co/H6ttJjuK7W pic.twitter.com/XgvvW2Ja0E
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) May 27, 2017
Police said Howard did not know the girl, was not related to her and does have a criminal history. They believe the girl was with him for a couple of hours.
Police said the girl did leave home on her own, and they are looking into why she did that. She did leave with a bag.
ONLY ON @boston25: the suitcase the girl packed when she left her #Norton home being brought to #Easton PD as evidence. #boston25 pic.twitter.com/0ShACKuuQd
— Erica Ricci (@RicciReports) May 27, 2017
A date for arraignment has not yet been set.
Boston 25 News Live StreamWATCH LIVE: Norton police provide update on missing girl found safe.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Friday, May 26, 2017
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