Neighbor: 16-Year-Old Girl Says She Escaped While Kidnapper Slept
JOHNSTOWN, Colo. (CBS4) - The search for a missing 16-year-old girl in Johnstown ended with the victim saying she was kidnapped and held hostage for nearly 2 days.
David Calderon, 38, is now facing multiple charges, including kidnapping and child abuse charges. At 7:45 a.m. Thursday the teenager walked out of Calderon's home and knocked on a neighbor's door for help. The neighbor spoke to CBS4 but did not want to be identified.
"She told me that she had been held against her will at the house across the street," he says.
The girl, who police said has a history of running away from home, told the neighbor that her ordeal began at approximately 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hays Market in Johnstown, less than a mile from where she was found.
"On Tuesday evening, She was in the Hays Market parking lot and he stopped and asked her for a lighter. She said she didn't smoke and immediately after that he pulled her into his vehicle and drove her here," the neighbor said. While the neighbor called police he said the girl continued to tell him her story.
"She told me that he pulled her on top of him and touched her."
For nearly two days Calderon allegedly held the 16-year-old against her will and threatened to kill her. He also allegedly promised to travel across the world with her, and apparently gave her presents, including a cat.
"This morning she was able to sneak away while he was sleeping," he adds.
Cesar Hernandez, who lives next door to Calderon, says he didn't notice any unusual activity.
"We would have known if she would have screamed but we didn't hear nothing," Hernandez said. "It's creepy, living here next to him. But I guess he deserves what he gets."
Calderon has a long criminal wrap sheet with multiple narcotics and meth charges. He is currently facing charges of:
- Second Degree Kidnapping (class 4 felony)
- False Imprisonment (class 5 felony)
- Unlawful sexual contact (class 4 felony)
- Felony Menacing (class 5 felony)
- Child abuse (class 5 felony)
- Assault in the third degree (class 1 misdemeanor)
Police searched Hernandez's home late Thursday night after obtaining a warrant. Calderon is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday afternoon.
- Written by Nina Sparano for CBSDenver.com
