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The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has reported that deputies coordinated with the Department of Children and Families to ensure the safe custody of a teenage girl until she could be returned to her family.
In PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla., authorities discovered a 16-year-old girl from North Carolina who had been reported missing. She was located late Sunday night during a routine traffic stop, as announced by the sheriff’s office on their Facebook page.
Deputy Chewning from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle speeding south on U.S. 17 near Crescent City. Despite the car reducing its speed, Chewning proceeded with a traffic stop after determining it was still exceeding the speed limit.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Chewning encountered the driver and a young passenger, who was later confirmed as the missing teenager. The sheriff’s office noted that the girl initially provided incorrect details about her identity and birth date.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the driver, identified as 37-year-old Joshua Magraff from Charlotte, initially claimed that the teenager was his 16-year-old cousin.
“The passenger gave deputies a 2013 birth date, which would make her only 12 years-old,” PCSO said on Facebook. “The passenger gave two more false names and dates of birth causing Deputy Chewning to be concerned for her welfare.”
After Chewning placed the teen in his patrol car, PCSO said she told the deputy her real name. A subsequent records check found that the teen had been reported missing a month earlier from North Carolina.
Deputies then made contact with the teen’s mother, as she stated she knew Magraff and reported her daughter missing on Feb. 16, PCSO said.
When deputies asked Magraff what his connection was to the teen, Magraff reportedly changed his story, saying she was a friend. And when deputies asked him why he was hanging out with a 16-year-old, Magraff stated that he thought she was 19, according to PCSO.
When asked why the two were in Florida, PCSO said Magraff stated he was in the state to gamble.
During a search of Magraff’s vehicle, the sheriff’s office said deputies found 19 counterfeit $100 bills, marijuana, synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Magraff was then arrested and charged with interference in child custody, synthetic marijuana possession, possession of counterfeit currency, contributing to delinquency of a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to PCSO. He was taken to the Putnam County Jail, where he is being held on $9,000 bond.
As for the teen, PCSO said deputies contacted the Department of Children and Families to take custody of her until she can be reunited with her mother.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.