Abduction report is 'unfounded'

BARTLEY -- Red Willow County Sheriff Gene Mahon said Friday afternoon a statement from the victim of the alleged abduction near Bartley Thursday has led officers to decide the incident is unfounded.

Sheriff Mahon said this afternoon a pickup accident did occur, but that there was no abduction. "There was one individual involved -- the victim," Mahon said.

The incident started with a report received about 6:15 p.m. that a 14-year-old girl living northeast of Bartley had been abducted from her farm yard about 4:30 p.m. and that the man had stolen the girl's parents' pickup.

The pickup was wrecked about three miles from the victim's home, with the man allegedly fleeing on foot. The girl ran home.

Sheriff's officers responded and requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, thinking the alleged abductor could be the suspect charged in a sexual assault and burglary incident northeast of McCook on Aug. 31.

Officers and dogs searched the hills and canyons northeast of Bartley on foot, and the State Patrol's airplane, equipped with heat-detecting equipment, searched from the air.

The search ended about 10:30 p.m., with no suspect found.

"The vehicle accident occurred," Mahon said. "The abduction did not."

Mahon said a statement received from the victim, about 2 p.m., Friday, led officers to conclude that the incident is unfounded. Mahon declined to go into detail about the statement.

Mahon said he and his investigators will visit with County Attorney Paul Wood Monday about what happens next. Mahon would not speculate about possible charges.

Mahon estimated the four hours of the investigation cost taxpayers $15,000 to $20,000.

Sgt. Burke Curl said he was very impressed with and appreciative of the response to this incident from other law enforcement agencies. "We got a super response from the State Patrol," Curl said.

Mahon said he received offers of manpower from the McCook Police Department and from sheriff's departments in neighboring counties.

Mahon said this incident will not change the way his officers respond to calls for help or reports of incidents.

Mahon said, "No matter how minor or how serious the call, we will always respond, investigate and resolve a situation."

Lt. Alan Kotschwar said, "We will respond and investigate every incident until something tells us otherwise."

Curl said, " 'bout the time you think it's not real, it is."