UPDATE: Ohio man to be charged with child abduction

Missing 13-year-old girl from Wilmington found safe in Ohio

A 21-year-old Ohio man will face child abduction charges related to the disappearance of a Wilmington teen.

The 13-year-old girl left her home in Wilmington Wednesday, Sept. 4,  after babysitting for her younger brothers and was last seen near St. Rose Church on Kankakee Street around 5 p.m. Police were called by the girl’s stepfather just after 6 p.m., and alerted that the juvenile had texted family members that she was going to be leaving. The girl’s mother started looking into communication records and officers were able to determine that the girl had been speaking with a person from Ohio.

Wilmington Police had WESCOM telecommunicators enter the juvenile’s information into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) as a runaway.

Further investigation developed additional information on the male adult that the girl had been communicating with. Wilmington police have identified him as Andrew Boltz of Kenton, Ohio. WESCOM personnel were able to pinpoint Boltz’s location.

After relaying information directly to state police agencies in Indiana and Ohio, Boltz's vehicle was observed by the Ohio State Patrol traveling eastbound on Route 30 just over the Ohio state line. The Ohio State Patrol was able to get the vehicle stopped and found the girl uninjured.

They placed Boltz under arrest and took protective custody of the juvenile.

At this time the investigation continues. Boltz is currently being held in an Ohio detention facility, with charges pending in Will County for child abduction. Wilmington’s detective will be working with the State’s Attorney’s Office and federal authorities for additional charges related to the incident.

Editor's note: Persons named in police activity reports are innocent of any charges until proven guilty in a court of law.