CANBY, Ore. (TCN) — New details have emerged in the case of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped from her home and found in a suspect’s closet, duct-taped inside a duffel bag.
Vince Edgar Chavez, 36, allegedly entered a family’s home in the middle of the night on Oct. 28 and hit a 12-year-old girl with a hammer before taking her 10-year-old sister with him.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Chavez was apprehended as part of a joint effort with the agency and the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force at his home in Oregon City, Oregon. The victim was allegedly found in a closet in the suspect’s home about 12 hours after she was taken. She was evaluated at an area hospital and it was determined she had suffered a traumatic brain injury, according to KOIN.
Court documents obtained by the Oregonian state that Chavez was booked into jail on suspicion of attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree burglary, and first-degree sexual abuse and sodomy.
On Nov. 3, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that Chavez was charged by federal complaint with kidnapping a minor.
KPTV reports Chavez pleaded not guilty on Nov. 5.
A court affidavit obtained by KATU provides further details in the case. According to the affidavit, the victim’s mother woke up on the night of the alleged incident because she heard talking. In her 911 call, she alleged she saw the suspect leaving with her 10-year-old daughter and driving away in a white van, while her 12-year-old daughter was bleeding after allegedly being hit in the head with a hammer.
KATU reports Chavez allegedly left his backpack at the home. Clothing, rope, zip ties, lubricant, an eye mask, and a male vitality supplement were found. In addition, Chavez allegedly left a hammer at the scene. The victim’s mother identified him as a suspect, stating she had associated with him in the past and he had allegedly expressed a sexual interest in the victim.
Chris Own of Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said, “The suspect dated victim’s mother for a very brief period of time. And that relationship lasted approximately a month and ended in April,” KOIN reports.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office, investigators were able to obtain cellular records due to immediate threat to life. FBI analysis and a grid search by local police led officials to Chavez’s home in Oregon City.
U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford said, “The speed with which this child was found is the result of extraordinary teamwork and relentless determination by law enforcement. … When a child is taken, we act immediately — and we do not stop until that child is safe and the offender is brought to justice.”
After the victim was rescued, she told interviewers Chavez allegedly parked the van and strangled and sexually assaulted her after kidnapping her, per KATU. She alleged he put her inside a black bag and brought her to his house, where he showed her pornography and said he would do the same things to her. She also alleged he put her in the duffel bag and strangled her again, causing her to pass out.
KPTV reports Chavez is being held without bail at the Clackamas County Jail and a detention hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1.
The case remains under investigation.
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