Authorities say a 12-year-old girl who had been kidnapped and held in a rural Alabama residence escaped, spurring an investigation which led to the discovery of two decaying corpses at the residence where she had been held.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett says a man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, and a prosecutor says capital murder charges are highly probable, WVTM reported.
The child, who was taken from the location to undergo medical treatment, revealed to officers she had been taken captive nearby, leading to the arrest of Jose Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37.
Reyes reportedly tied the child to a bedpost and sedated her with alcohol, holding her captive for about a week before she chewed her straps and escaped.
Following Reyes’ arrest, officers searched the residence, discovering two decayed bodies that have now turned over to the Alabama Dept of Forensic Sciences for more investigation.
Reyes is charged with first-degree kidnapping as well as numerous counts of capital murder and is currently awaiting a bond hearing in Auburn.
