Rutherford County teen found safe in Oklahoma; suspect arrested

MOORESBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- A missing Rutherford County girl has been found safe, more than 900 miles away from home in Checotah, Oklahoma.



Authorities arrested 23-year-old Jacob Gardea of Albuquerque, New Mexico, just hours after FBI agents joined the investigation.

Officials said he is accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Aubrey Joelle Acree.

Police said an eyewitness saw Aubrey getting into a vehicle with him near Harris Henrietta Road in Mooresboro on Sunday night.

Gardea is facing child abduction charges in North Carolina.

Video is from a previous version of this story.