Girl Who Had Been Subject of Amber Alert Is Now Charged

ap.tbo.com ^ | 02/08/05 | AP

[Ellesu]

MACON, Ga. (AP) - A 14-year-old Georgia girl who had been the subject of a national Amber Alert before she was found in Florida is now believed to have left willingly with the man and is facing charges, police said. Authorities initially thought the girl had been kidnapped Friday. She was found unharmed the next day in Kissimmee, Fla.

Now she is accused of participating in the assault on her adoptive grandfather Friday night, Macon, Ga., police spokeswoman Melanie Hofmann said Monday. She has been charged with aggravated assault on a person over 60 and armed robbery in the attack on 80-year-old Hugh Hunnicutt.

The incident initially prompted a national Amber Alert because authorities thought the girl had been kidnapped by Michael Dewitt Hightower.

But it is now believed the girl left willingly with Hightower, who is the estranged husband of her biological mother, Hofmann said.

Hightower, 39, is awaiting extradition in Florida on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault on a person over 60, armed robbery and theft by taking auto.

Macon Judicial Circuit assistant prosecutor Nancy Scott Moskaly said Hightower still faces a kidnapping charge, even though it now appears the girl left willingly. In Georgia, it is illegal for someone to take a juvenile without the consent of their parent or guardian.

"A 14-year-old girl is going to agree to do a lot of things," Moskaly said. "That is why she can't make those decisions."

[Blue Highway]

Sounds like a wonderful family... < / sarcasm>

[datura]

I hope the grandfather gives the girl to CPS and rescinds his adoption of her. If I were him, I'd never speak to that girl again, and be certain that she was not in my will (along with her mother).

[Fido969]

I think that anyone who falsely claims that they were kidnapped or abused should face guaranteed hard time.

But the gutless DAs don't want to upset the fems by charging women who make false charges, and the spineless judges constantly turn a blind eye to these because because they are terrified of being criticized by the vocal feminista.

Kind of makes the whole "justice system" seem pointless a lot of the time.

[PAR35]

At least they practice diversity.

[festus]

I think that anyone who falsely claims that they were kidnapped or abused should face guaranteed hard time.

Except in this case she didn't seem to claim she was kidnapped, that was the assumption of the others. What she's charged for is 'participating in the assault'.