Gabrielle Swainson(Credit: Personal photo)(CBS/AP) COLUMBIA, S.C. - Investigators charged Freddie Grant with kidnapping in the disappearance of 15-year-old Gabrielle “Gabbiee” Swainson after her blood was found on duct tape near his home, authorities said Tuesday.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said 52-year-old Grant was a family acquaintance and did yard work for the Swainson family.
The sheriff was holding out hope that Gabbiee will be found alive, and more than 100 officers are combing through a junkyard across from the suspect’s home in Elgin on Tuesday looking for the missing teen.
“I haven’t given up hope of finding her and bringing her home. That’s what we’re operating under, that she can be found,” Lott said. “He’s only charged with kidnapping.”
Grant was uncooperative when investigators first asked him if he knew where Gabbiee was, and hadn’t been any more helpful since he was charged with kidnapping on Monday.
Gabbiee was last seen by her mother around 4 a.m. on Aug. 18 asleep in her bed. Her mother said Gabbiee was gone when she returned home from work several hours later. All the teen’s clothes, her purse and her cellphone charger were still in the home, authorities said.
Investigators began questioning the family and anyone who knew the girl. Grant was an obvious target because he was a convicted felon and deputies became even more suspicious when he refused to cooperate, Lott said.
Bullets were found in Grant’s home, leading to a federal weapons charge. Additional searches uncovered his DNA and Gabbiee’s DNA on duct tape with blood on it found near his house, the sheriff said.
Grant is being held without bail at the Lexington County jail.
Lott said investigators are checking to see whether Grant is involved in the disappearance of a 28-year-old woman last year.
Investigators said Adriana Laster, who lived with Grant in Elgin, has been missing for nearly a year. Laster disappeared in September 2011, but wasn’t reported missing until March of this year by her grandmother in Homestead, Fla., Elgin Police Chief Harold Brown said.
Grant and Laster lived together and had a troubled relationship. Brown said his officers were called to their home several times, culminating in an April 2011 charge of criminal domestic violence against Grant. Police pressed forward with the misdemeanor even though Laster asked them to drop the case. Grant was convicted and paid a fine, Brown said.
More on Crimesider Aug. 27, 2012 – Gabrielle Swainson: FBI agents involved, $6,000 reward offered for information regarding missing SC teen Aug. 23, 1012 – Gabrielle Swainson, 15-year-old South Carolina cheerleader, missing since Saturday
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- Search goes on for missing S.C. cheerleader (charlotteobserver.com)
- Still Missing. They Need Your Help! (geeton1.wordpress.com)
Reblogged this on Lady Barefoot Baroness and commented:
SADLY ANOTHER MISSING CHILD. PLEASE GO TO BRING THEM HOME AND REBLOG! ~ THANK YOU!
Reblogged this on Gerry's Space. and commented:
Come on everybody’ The more eyes that view the more we can do’
Reblogged this on Believe Anyway and commented:
please let people know to keep your eyes and ears open to find this young lady.
Thanks again Miss Kate! Your Award will look so nice. We’ll get that done soon and link to you of course.
God Bless you Sister!
Reblogged this on kizzylee.
Thanks so much Kizzylee for this Reblog. You are so appreciated by doing this and we are grateful.. Asking your readers to do the same multiplies so quickly. Cost us so little and the possibilities….
Reblogged this on FOREVER POETIC and commented:
So very sad, reminds me of my beautiful 17 year old. We all must become more aware…i reblogged on “Forever poetic”
Brings my heart to tears, Reminds me of my 17 year old daughter! I reblogged on forever poetic. I hope we find as many as possible with all the great continuing efforts as John Walsh at “America’s Most Wanted always says it can happen to any of our families! God bless!
O Wendell. I am sorry. I worried for Gerry too. Any man with a daughter this age (or any age) is going to feel like they have been kicked in the gut.
I’m pleased you reblogged. It’s an awesome community union of love. But I believe when we are able to do something positive, even as little as it may seem, it’s an empowering gift.
Times like this it is needed.
Thank you for sharing you passion with BTH. We need a lot more like you!
Blessings & smiles ~ BB
Prayers & blessings for her safe return.
Thank you so much. We know that the more eyes on her face, and that read the details there is always a better chance.
We keep the faith. Thanks again!
Reblogged this on sharing me myself and i and commented:
I usually don’t reblog. But – this is someone’s loved one that’s missing & the more eyes – that see this – maybe will help bring her home safe sooner – if the right person sees this. Prayers for this beautiful girl & for her safe return…
Hi RoSy, I understand, I am still on the fence. Except for this cause. We are finding people will make exceptions for children. It’s a lovely statement about humanity really. To set aside your feelins for kids.
You absolutely get it.~ It’s kind of amazing how powerful we can be.
The dialogue is much apreciated too. This is meant to be a small cyber village -a community With people like you.
Keep coming back ~ BB ^ G.
Reblogged this on Chittle Chattle.
Hello thank you much for your help. That is the only way this will work. With people like you. We hope supporters like you who reblog will have their readers reblog.That’s how we’ll get her face seen. Power of the people & WordPress.
Thanks again! ~ BTH
Reblogged this on I Enjoy Being a Girl and commented:
Pass it on!…
Thanks so much missquinn! Always so great to be able to count on you. A true BTH Champion. We so appreciate you. BB & G
It’ no problem. It’s even easier to do this now that I’ve gotten this whole notifications thing down. ^_^
Good for you. So much to learn, so little …..something. I had a hard time figuring some things out too. Once there it’s a snap.
Thanks again lovely friend~ BB
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My thoughts and prayer for the missing child and her family. May she be reunited with her family soon. Thanks for sharing this and making all of us be aware that such tragic , scary events happen everyday and that we all need to help in whatever way we can.
Our sincere thanks and gratitude for your part. It’s the people like you, doing the reblogging and asking your friends about it, maybe they will show and tell just one more person. To keep this beautiful teens eye a current topic. Until she is found or safely makes her way home.
I pray that Gabby knows how to just hunker down and do what is necessary to keephersself a live. I cannot help but think of Elizabeth Smart in the US.
Thanks again & please keep coming back.
Reblogged this on Booksphotographsandartwork's Blog.
A note of our sincere gratitude and thanks for your reblolg. You are deeply appreciated by Bring Them Home ~ G & BB
Reblogged this on jhasmoments and commented:
USA Missing Endangered Child Alert
Aug30
PLEASE REBLOG. MORE EYES THE BETTER!
THANK YOU!
ACTIVE ALERT 8/29/2012
Thanks so very much for adding your blog’s power by reblogging. It’s amazing thing that with one small click we can enmass such power to help a young girl.
Thanks again! ~ G & BB
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