Father Uses Phone Data to Rescue Teen Abducted at Knifepoint

A Texas teenager was rescued by her father on Christmas Day after being abducted at knifepoint. The incident, reported by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, spanned a few tense hours on December 25, ultimately ending in the safe return of the 15-year-old girl.

Incident Details

The rescue began at approximately 4:50 p.m. when deputies received a call regarding the missing teen. She had taken her dog for a walk but did not return home. In an effort to locate her, her father used parental control features to track her phone’s location.

Rescue Operation

The phone data indicated that she was in a secluded, partially wooded area, about two miles from their home. As the father arrived at the location, he discovered his daughter and her dog inside a maroon pickup truck with a 23-year-old man.

• The suspect was described as “partially nude.”
• The father successfully helped his daughter escape from the truck.

After the rescue, they went home and immediately contacted the sheriff’s office. Investigators later confirmed that the man had threatened the girl with a knife.

Suspect Identification

Thanks to witness descriptions, law enforcement quickly identified the suspect’s vehicle and arrested Giovanni Rosales Espinoza. He has been charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child.

• Age of suspect: 23
• Charges: Aggravated kidnapping, indecency with a child
• Status: Held in Montgomery County Jail with no bond

Community Response

Following the incident, Sheriff Wesley Doolittle expressed gratitude for the quick actions of deputies who managed to apprehend the suspect. He emphasized the importance of community safety during the holiday season.

The family of the rescued teen reported that they did not know the suspect and expressed their relief that their daughter was safe. Currently, the investigation is ongoing as authorities piece together further details of the case.