A 13-year-old girl has been saved from a kidnapper after a passerby noticed a subtle 'help me' sign.
The young girl was taken at gunpoint in California in July. She was taken by a 61-year-old man who is now in police custody.
The teenager was sexually assaulted and taken across several states in a silver Nissan Sentra.
She was miraculously saved by a passerby who noticed a 'help me' sign in the window of the car. It was parked outside a laundromat on East 10th Street in Long Beach.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the young girl was kidnapped in early July 2023.
Steven Robert Sablan has been arrested and is in police custody. Officers charged him with kidnapping, as well as the transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
He could face life in prison following the horrendous incident.
According to reports, he kidnapped the teenager on July 6th. She was walking alone in San Antonio when he pulled up alongside her and pointed a gun at her. He then ordered her into the car and drove toward Long Beach.
When they arrived in California, he went into a laundromat to wash their clothes but left the girl in the car.
Police praised the passerby for saving the girl's life.
They stated: "I want to commend our community members for their vigilance and willingness to get involved by calling 911.
"This incident highlights the critical role community members play in keeping people safe. I would also like to acknowledge our officers for their swift response and actions which led to getting this victim to safety."
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