|
Abducted Cherokee teen released Sunday
By Justin Goble
A Cherokee teen who was abducted this past weekend has been released.
Cherokee Police said Derick Taylor, a 14-year-old member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was taken against his will by two white males in a gold-colored automobile Sunday afternoon (Nov. 4).
Police learned of the abduction after Taylor used his cell phone to call them late in the afternoon. He told officers he was being held in a storage building approximately 6 to 8 feet in height next to a tan building. While Taylor said the building was within a “five- to 10-minute drive” from Cherokee, he wasn’t sure exactly where it was.
Taylor was released around 7 p.m., shortly after Cherokee police had issued an Amber Alert notifying the surrounding area of his abduction.
According to Cherokee Police Officer Ben Reed, Taylor was released near a closed business. From there he ran to a service station and called his family.
“Cherokee police officers arrived minutes later to secure him,” Reed said. “Taylor was transported to the Cherokee Police Department where he was reunited with his family. Our investigation into this abduction will continue until the perpetrators are apprehended. Taylor is in good condition at this time.”
“We are thankful for Derrick’s safe return,” the Taylor family said in a statement issued Sunday night. “We would like to thank the Cherokee Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for all their assistance and support during this time.”
Reed said the Jackson and Swain County sheriff’s departments, the Qualla and Cherokee fire departments and the FBI assisted in the investigation.
|
