More details have arisen in connection with the abduction of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, including new footage of a person of interest and indications that the kidnapped nursing assistant may have been taken to Maryland.
As the Inquisitr reported yesterday, 22-year-old Freeland-Gaither was snatched from a street in Philadelphia last Sunday night, as she was walking home after visiting with family. The kidnapping was caught on surveillance video, which showed the young woman struggling frantically to escape her captor.
According to Fox News , Authorities have reported that an ATM card belonging to Carlesha was used on Monday morning in Aberdeen, Maryland, which is almost 75 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Images of the man using the card were captured by bank cameras.
The as-yet unidentified kidnapping suspect is described as a black male between 25 and 30 years old, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium-heavy build. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored jacket with a hood.
The car used in Carlesha’s kidnapping is a 2000-2002 dark-gray Ford Taurus sedan with a Pennsylvania license plate. The rear windows on both sides of the vehicle were smashed by Freeland-Gaither in her attempt to break out of the car.
Freeland-Gaither lived with her grandmother, Ana Mulero, in Maryland for 15 years, and reportedly has people in that state with whom she still keeps in touch.
The New York Daily News reported that Mulero said Carlesha had a person named “Branden” who was “obsessed” with her granddaughter in high school. Mulero said she discouraged any association between Carlesha and the young man.
“I told her to terminate the relationship. I don’t know if she did or not.”
Philadelphia police are working with the FBI and authorities in Maryland in the search for Carlesha, according to the Boston Herald .
“Our goal is the safe return of Carlesha to her family and friends,” Christian Zajac, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia office, said at a news conference.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Freeland-Gaither’s mother, Keisha Gaither, begged the kidnapper to release her daughter.
“I just want her home. She got family. She’s loved. Just let her come home.”
She also sent a message to Carlesha.
“Just fight. Don’t give up. Just fight.”
Meanwhile, the reward for information leading to the capture of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither’s abductor has been increased from $15,000 to $45,000. Anyone with information about the kidnapping are urged to call Philadelphia police at 215-686-3353.
[Images via ABC News]
