Teen sends mom SOS text after waking up in apartment she didn’t recognise, US cops say

An Arizona man has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping a 14-year-old girl and holding her against her will in an apartment, according to officials in Utah.

The incident occurred on August 10 when the girl informed her mother that she planned to spend the night at a friend’s house, as reported by KSL. However, at 1:40 am, the teen sent her mother a distress message from her phone, indicating that she needed help.

Upon waking up in the Park City apartment, the teenager urgently messaged her mother, who instructed her to turn on her GPS and send the location to Summit County deputies, according to FOX 13. The girl informed authorities that she was being held against her will. Deputies subsequently conducted an interview with Mark Devine, 32, at the apartment, where he claimed that he was the only person present.

After conducting a search of the premises, deputies discovered the girl, who had allegedly been confined in a closet, according to an affidavit obtained by KUTV.

The teen revealed that Devine had picked her up and the two had gone to McDonald’s to grab some food, although she had little recollection of the events that followed. She stated that the next thing she remembered was waking up in an apartment.

Devine informed deputies that he was renting the apartment through a friend and Airbnb, as stated by FOX 13.

Devine was subsequently arrested on August 11 and has been charged with felony kidnapping. He has been booked into the Summit County Jail, as reported by KUTV.

Park City, where the incident took place, is approximately 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

– The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service