November 2, 2024 10:35 AM

Abducted Philadelphia Woman Found Alive Following Disturbing Abduction, ‘Vicious Predator’ In Custody [PHOTOS]

Abducted Philadelphia Woman Found Alive - Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, a 22-year-old nursing assistant from Philadelphia, was found alive in a Jessup, Maryland parking lot after being violently abducted Sunday. She was rescued from the car of kidnapper Delvin Barnes, described by police as a 37-year-old "vicious predator."

Freeland-Gaither was reportedly found by FBI agents inside the suspect's parked car. The suspect and the abducted Philadelphia woman found alive were in the backseat of the car when agents arrived.

Barnes even tried to flee the scene by jumping into the driver's seat when he saw police. Fortunately, agents were able to block his way quickly.

Freeland-Gaither screamed for the authorities to help her while the suspect is being arrested. She told authorities she was the abducted Philadelphia woman. Eventually, police were able to rescue Freeland-Gaither and Barnes is now in custody.

Barnes is held for an outstanding attempted capital murder warrant issued in Virginia. He is expected to face federal charges once the investigation into Freeland-Gaither's case, the abducted Philadelphia woman found alive, has been completed, reports ABC News.

Special Agent Ed Hanko of the Philadelphia FBI field office said they were able to find Freeland-Gaither because of tips from the public. The team who approached Barnes as he stepped out of the vehicle included FBI agents, U.S. Marshals and agents with the Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Law enforcement officials reportedly told ABC News that authorities were able to track Barnes because of the GPS installed in his car.

Freeland-Gaither, the abducted Philadelphia woman found alive did suffer several injuries, but because she had been taken immediately to a nearby hospital in Columbia, Maryland for treatment, police said she is now in good condition and is expected to recover, reported NBC Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, Hanko said police still hasn't had the chance to ask her questions.

"Once she had time to process what had happened you could tell she was emotionally distraught," he said.

"I'm taking my baby home. Thank you," Keisha Gaither, the 22-year-old's mother told the public at a news conference Wednesday night.

Keisha said she has already spoken to her daughter via phone while she is recuperating at the hospital. The nursing assistant is expected to be reunited with her mother later this evening.

"Thank you for keeping me up. Thank you for being there for us. I'm taking my baby home," added Keisha.

The case of Freeland-Gaither, the abducted Philadelphia woman found alive, was described by authorities as an extremely disturbing crime. The harrowing incident where Freeland-Gaither was forced into a car Sunday night was caught on surveillance camera.

According to a witness, the woman lost her cellphone and glasses during the struggle with the kidnapper. She also screamed for help during the abduction.

Freeland-Gaither's bank card was later used in Aberdeen, near the Maryland-Delaware border.

Investigators also released the surveillance video of the attack on the abducted Philadelphia woman found alive. They described Barnes as a person of interest.

More than $40,000 was offered as a reward for information in the case, according to the Washington Post.

Detectives said Barnes attacked Freeland-Gaither randomly. Investigators said they have no reason to believe that Barnes knew his victim before the abduction. He is now being held on a bench warrant out of Virginia for alleged capital attempted murder in Charles City County.

"He's a thug and this is what he does apparently," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. "He's a vicious predator. He's off the streets."

Hanko said Barnes will be charged federally for the crime.

Detective said Barnes was a former Philadelphia resident who also had ties to Virginia.

The abducted Philadelphia woman found alive couldn't have been possible without the help of the public. At the press conference, police and FBI agents thanked the public for calling in their tips that led to Barnes and his vehicle.

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