Abigail Berthoff-5 yr old

This little girl was in the Amber Alert banner. She was apparently abducted from her bed early this morning by a registered sex-offender but miraculously has been found. She was taken to a hospital...

"Police: Abducted Girl Found With Sex Offender

Posted on: 10:06 am, October 24, 2012, by Joe Millitzer, updated on: 12:34pm, October 24, 2012
UPDATE: Police believe they have found Abigail Berthoff and Jeffrey Dean Shelton 10 miles south of Poplar Bluff near Highway 160 and Highway 67. They believe the girl is alive. They have taken the girl to a hospital. The Amber Alert has been cancelled.

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KTVI) – The man accused of abducting a 5-year-old Poplar Bluff girl is a known sex offender. Police are looking for Abigail Berthoff, 5, who was last seen wearing a pink princess night gown. Police say Jeffrey Dean Shelton, 43, took the child around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Police say Abigail’s mother last saw her at around 10pm when she put her to bed. According to police Abigail was missing when she woke up.

Abigail is described as a female with medium complexion, black hair and brown eyes, wearing a pink princess night gown.

Police say Jeffrey Dean Shelton is a registered sex offender. He is a 6 foot tall white male with a scar over his left eye. He has green eyes and brown hair. He was last seen driving a Silver 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with a license plate number of PJ8-Z5M. The windshield has cracks in it.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol sex offender registry, Shelton was convicted in 1990 of kidnapping a 12 year old in Fort Hood, Texas. He was also found guilty of rape, attempted kidnapping and two counts of sodomy....."

http://fox2now.com/2012/10/24/police-seek-sex-offender-after-child-abduction/

Sex Offender Facing Kidnapping, Other Charges

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KTVI) – There are disturbing details surfacing about a registered sex offender charged with the abduction of Abigail Berthoff, 5. Abigail was last seen by her mother Tuesday night when she put the youngster to bed. When her mother checked on her this morning Abigail was gone.

Authorities say a woman told them she went to Jerry Shelton’s home early Wednesday and saw Abigail. Shelton threatened to kill the woman and the little girl. He bound the woman with duct tape and made the child expose herself. The woman escaped and Shelton took off with Abigail.

Authorities had issued an Amber Alert before Abigail and began the search for Shelton, but the suspect surrendered around 2 p.m. Wednesday. She had been missing for seven hours. Police say Abigail was doing well and was asking for soda and chicken nuggets.

Police Chief Danny Whitely remarked, “Praise the Lord that we found them.”
Authorities say Shelton, 46, had no comment when he was taken by officers into the city police station.

Shelton was found with Abigail just south of town. The FBI, Missouri Highway Patrol, Butler County Sheriff’s deputies and Poplar Bluff police swarmed the area. Some 40 officers hunted for Shelton and Abigail. Chief Whitely said he believes all the law enforcement caused Shelton to give up and surrender.

Shelton is a registered sex offender for crimes involving young girls. He is now charged with four felonies, including kidnapping Abigail.

Abigail’s family members are grateful she was found alive. Her mother Eva Crawford said, “I was scared, worried and scared and worried I didn’t know what might happen or anything. I’ve been crying all morning I’m just thankful with everyone that helped find her.” Abigail’s grandmother Cathy Harty added, “I was empty just a little while ago but my hearts full again and I know God answers prayers and this is a miracle he answered.”

Police and family members believe this was a stranger abduction that the suspect did not have a tie to Abigail or her family. However, police think the suspect may have visited friends in Abigail’s neighborhood before and spotted the girl then.

http://fox2now.com/2012/10/24/police-seek-sex-offender-after-child-abduction/



At least she's alive and he's in jail. That could have been a lot worse. I take it as a good sign when she said she wanted a soda and nuggets. Meaning she was ok. Hopefully she was not raped. He should have his balls cut off anyway. Rape or not he should be neurtered.
William