Search for Kidnapping Suspect Spans Several States

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UPDATE: The Chesterfield County Sheriff says Donnell Melton’s car and tent were found Monday night in Lancaster County. With the new information, Sheriff Jay Brooks says he believes Donnell Melton is near the border of Lancaster and Chesterfield Counties. 

On Tuesday, Brooks says he will file a charge against Melton for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Melton already faces charges kidnapping and interfering with custodial rights. 

CHESTERFIELD, SC — A so-called survivalist accused of kidnapping his stepdaughter may be back in our area.  The 14-year-old girl is home safely after spending days in the woods.

Donnell Melton has been in trouble with the law several times.  Just two months ago, he was served this warrant for assault and battery on two teens.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the FBI have joined the search across several states.

“She was tired, she was hungry, she was cold, a little dehydrated.” That’s how Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks describes Donnell Meltons’ 14-year-old stepdaughter when she reunited with her family Monday morning.

The sheriff says she’d been camping out in the North Carolina Mountains since Melton kidnapped her from school Friday, using a fake doctor’s note.  “She said the reason he turned her loose is because there was so much pressure on him from the amber alert,” said Brooks.

Melton called his father on a disposable phone to come get the girl.  Her mom called police when she was dropped off at home.  “You can forgive, but you can’t forget.” said the victim’s mother.  “And I don’t even think I can forgive this.”

WCCB is concealing the mother and daughter’s identities because of concerns that Melton may have had an inappropriate relationship with the girl.  “She was a daddy’s girl,” said the victim’s mother.  “Even though he’s not her biological father, he’s raised her for 8 years.”

Now the search for Melton spans from Chesterfield County to the mountains in Franklin, North Carolina–three hours away.  The sheriff’s office has called in help from 25 departments between North Carolina and Tennessee, citing Melton’s unpredictable and violent past.

He was arrested in Chesterfield in December on assault charges.  That case is still pending.  Melton served 30 days in prison in 2012 on drug charges.

Melton’s father, who went to pick up the stepdaughter, is charged with accessory after the fact of kidnapping.  On Monday night, Harlan Donnell Melton, Sr. was in the Lancaster County Jail.

Brooks says the search for Melton will resume Tuesday morning.