A couple in Arkansas is accused of attracting a 12-year-old woman through internet conversations, picking her up in their South Carolina home and moving her 700 miles to their home, where the man allegedly sexually abused her.
Sierra Dawn Britten, 28, and Brandon Lee Britten, 31, were taken into custody on September 9 after being found in their Independence County, Arkansas, house.
The couple may have kept in touch with the child for months using the internet, according to a sworn declaration obtained by KAIT.
Before moving to Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Britten exchanged naked photos with the minor, according to the report.
According to authorities, the couple removed the child from their home on September 8 and traveled 700 miles to their Arkansas apartment.
According to the sworn speech, Sierra slept in her young brother's room while Brandon would have raped the slight there.
Following the alleged abduction in South Carolina, the inspection began.
The researchers tracked a dark Chevrolet Malibu connected to the few using Flock devices.
The system allowed authorities to track the vehicle to the Britten's home in Arkansas the next day.
When the officers arrived at the home, Sierra allegedly tried to prevent them from entering.
Lieutenant Zach Rawlins, of the County Sheriff's Office of Independence, wrote in the sworn statement that Sierra actively resisted and had to be physically removed from the home so that agents could locate the minor.
Officers found the girl in a bathroom, shaking and with her face and hands against the wall, according to Rawlins.
The officer that, after identifying with her, the minor thanked her that she had gone to look for her and said she wanted her mother.
“He wanted his mother,” according to the story included in the police document.
Authorities said they subsequently obtained evidence through an order to register the home and a medical examination that, according to Rawlins, corroborated the minor’s account. The girl was later reunited with her family.
During the investigation, Sierra initially told authorities that she believed the girl was 18 years old.
The document notes that Sierra acknowledged having held conversations with the minor on the internet and exchanged images of nakedness with her. The age of sexual consent is 16 years in both South Carolina and Arkansas.
Brandon and Sierra Britten face charges of travelling with the intent of committing an illegal sexual act with a minor and harassing a minor through the internet, according to the authorities.
In addition, Brandon faces a rape charge, while Sierra was accused of complicity in the rape.
Both are detained with a bail of $1 million each.
The charges are charges and the two defendants retain the presumption of innocence while the case continues in the courts.
