Suspect arrested in alleged kidnapping of Utah teen
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This photo released by the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office shows Angel Garcia, 55, of Draper, after he was booked Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 on suspicion of child kidnapping, harboring a runaway, obstructing justice and endangering a child. (AP/Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office)
Police investigating the alleged kidnapping of a 13-year-old Utah girl have arrested a 55-year-old man.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder says Angel Garcia of Draper was booked Wednesday night on suspicion of child kidnapping, harboring a runaway, obstructing justice and endangering a child.
Garcia insists he's innocent and has told police that Brooklyn Gittins ran away from her home in suburban Herriman and he picked her up after she called him.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gittins' disappearance last week prompted authorities and about 1,000 volunteers to conduct a two-day search. The teen crawled out of her bedroom window and left on her own accord on Jan. 8 but was thought to be without her shoes or a coat in chilly weather.
Winder told KSL-TV the question of whether the teen stayed with Garcia willingly is irrelevant. He says that because of her age, she's considered a victim.