Missing Belton Teens Found Safe, Truck Driver Arrested in Arizona
Two teenagers reported missing from Belton have been found and a truck driver suspected of holding them against their will has been arrested.
Police in Winslow, Arizona report that their department received information from Belton police concerning two children reported missing on Friday, March 15. That information led to the discovery of a semi-truck in Winslow driven by 47-year-old Marshall Pendergrass of Jacksonville, Florida.
Officers with Winslow PD and the Navajo Country Sheriff's Office found a 12-year-old boy and 14-year old girl in the sleeper cab of the truck. Police report that the two are siblings, and that Pendergrass, who is not related to them, was holding them against their will.
The children were placed in the care of the Arizona Department of Child Services, and officials say they are in good physical condition. No further details were made available.
Pendergrass is in police custody pending federal charges. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been contacted, and a joint investigation into the matter is ongoing.