The Harnett County Sheriff's Office on Sunday said they had arrested an "armed and dangerous" man after claiming that he kidnapped a 12-year-old girl in Harnett County earlier in the day.
According to Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats, deputies arrested Daniel Francis Gear, 38, who they said kidnapped the girl from a home in Lillington.
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Coats said authorities found the girl walking to the side of the road on U.S. Highway 421. Gear's car was found in the area, but there was no sign of him when they searched the car.
Deputies found Gear in the woodline along U.S. 421 Sunday night.
According to the sheriff, Gear lived near where the girl was staying. Coats added that the girl was at that home visiting a friend, and Gear had no relationship of any kind with the girl.
The girl was taken to the hospital, but has since been released and is now recovering with her family. Gear is charged with first-degree kidnapping and assault on a female.