A man from North Carolina has been charged with felony abduction following the discovery of a missing girl from Tennessee in his home. The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office reported the developments in a press release on Monday, stating that the girl was found in a residence located at 3921 US 311 in Stoneville.
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The girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been reported missing on 1 March by her parents to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Memphis, Tennessee. Authorities were able to trace her to Vettor’s property approximately 670 miles away from her home, a journey that typically takes around ten hours by car.
According to law enforcement, the girl was located in the company of 27-year-old Dakota Wayne Vettor. Following her discovery, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was notified immediately, as were her parents. The girl was subsequently taken into custody by the Rockingham County Department of Social Services and reunited with her family.
Court documents indicate that the child had vanished from her parents’ home in Memphis over the weekend, specifically on 28 February, before being reported missing the next day. It remains unclear how she arrived at Vettor’s home in North Carolina.
After the child was found, authorities interviewed Vettor before formally charging him with felony abduction. He is currently being held without bond at the Rockingham County Jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for 10 March 2026, at 8:55 a.m. local time.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with both the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office collaborating on the case. Law enforcement officials have indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the inquiry continues.
In their statement, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of various agencies, including the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, and the local Department of Social Services, in resolving the case and ensuring the safe recovery of the girl.
This incident underscores the significance of swift action by law enforcement in cases involving missing children, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation across state lines. Further updates on the case are anticipated as authorities continue their investigation.