A 13-year-old girl from Texas, who was reportedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by her abductor, was successfully rescued thanks to a stranger who noticed her makeshift “help me” sign. The alleged abductor, Steven Robert Sablan of Cleburne, Texas, has been charged with kidnapping and transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. This incident occurred on July 6, and federal prosecutors announced the charges on Thursday.
According to the federal complaint, the 13-year-old was walking to a bus stop in San Antonio when Sablan approached her in a silver Nissan. The girl’s mother reported her missing on July 7, explaining that her daughter had left home without informing her parents and intended to travel to Australia to visit a friend who had relocated there.
Sablan brandished what appeared to be a firearm and threatened the girl, saying, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you.” Fearing for her life, she complied. The complaint reveals that Sablan asked for her name and age, and she shared information about her Australian friend. He then suggested that he could take her on a cruise ship to visit her friend if she did something for him first.
Despite being repeatedly told to stop, Sablan sexually assaulted the 13-year-old at least ten times in the back of his car. The complaint emphasizes that the girl complied out of fear for her own safety. Over the following days, Sablan continued to sexually assault her as he transported her from Texas to California.
On July 9, while Sablan went into a laundromat in Long Beach, California, the girl remained in the car and wrote “Help me!” on a piece of paper in an attempt to attract attention. Fortunately, someone noticed her with the sign and promptly called the police. When officers arrived, they found Sablan outside the vehicle while the girl silently mouthed “Help” from inside. A subsequent search led to the discovery of a black BB gun, a pair of handcuffs in Sablan’s back pocket, and the “Help me” sign.
Sablan is now facing charges related to the kidnapping, with his arraignment scheduled for July 31. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. This rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being vigilant and responsive to signs of distress in our communities.
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