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U.S.

Two men charged in kidnapping of 10-year-old Los Angeles girl

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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UNDATED: This image provided by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Tobias Summers, left, and Daniel Martinez. (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Two men with criminal pasts were charged Wednesday in the kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl who was abducted at knifepoint and sexually assaulted after being taken from her Los Angeles home in the middle of the night.

Prosecutors filed nearly three dozen counts of sexual assault against 30-year-old fugitive Tobias Summers. He also faces kidnapping and burglary charges along with suspected accomplice Daniel Martinez.

If convicted, Summers could face multiple life terms in prison.

Authorities believe Martinez waited in a car outside the girl's home and drove a short distance with Summers and the girl after they emerged from the house.

Martinez then left and wasn't involved any further, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Martinez, 29, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to one count each of kidnapping and burglary. Bail was set at $150,000 and he was scheduled to return to court April 10.

If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison.

The girl was abducted about 3 a.m. on March 27 and found about 12 hours later wandering near a Starbucks about six miles away. She was barefoot, had bruises and scratches, and wasn't wearing the same clothes she had on when she vanished.

Police have said Summers took the girl to an abandoned home in her neighborhood and held her captive. Court records accuse him of forcing her to perform sexual acts and pose for nude photographs.

Police are searching for Summers, a transient they identified as a suspect over the weekend. Summers has a criminal record dating back to 2002 that includes arrests for robbery, battery and grand theft auto.

Court records show Martinez has been convicted of burglary and grand theft.

Police have received as many as 90 tips in the past several days regarding Summers, who they believe may have fled to San Diego or Mexico and changed his appearance by shaving his head.