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A Texas man is headed to trial for multiple felonies after abducting a 12-year-old girl from Henry County back in February.
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HENRY COUNTY, Va. – Warrants and a criminal complaint filed against the 21-year-old man charged in connection with a Henry County abduction are painting a clearer picture of what led to her abduction last week. Kaleb Merritt, 21, now faces three felony charges in connection with the abduction and his interactions with the girl. On Feb. 11, investigators received a notice from the Discord app about the actions of the 12-year-old girl, according to warrants. Investigators then reviewed messages from Feb. 7 to Feb. 10 between Merrit and the girl. As we’ve previously reported, Merritt was staying in a tent in the woods near the girl’s house.
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HENRY COUNTY, VA. – The Texas man accused of traveling to Henry County to abduct a 12-year-old girl remains in jail Monday after law enforcement worked for 36 hours to bring her home. With help from the FBI and other agencies, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was able to track an electronic device to break the case. In the hours following his capture, Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry said they were working to determine if Merritt was communicating with more underage girls. Investigators now believe that Merritt was in communication with at least one other Henry County girl and another department somewhere else in the country is also looking for information about Merritt. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office seized some electronic devices from Merritt the day before he fled town with the girl.
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9:10 p.m. Saturday UpdateThe Henry County Sheriff’s Office released more information into the child abduction investigation of 12-year-old Allie Broadaway. Kaleb Merritt is a suspect in the abduction of a Henry County girl (Henderson Police Dept.) 7:43 p.m. Saturday UpdateVirginia State Police has canceled the Amber Alert made for 12-year-old Allie Broadaway, per the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry will be holding another press conference at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751.
