A 13-year-old girl from Texas was rescued in Long Beach, California after bravely waving a "help me" note to passersby. The girl had been kidnapped at gunpoint in San Antonio, Texas, and subjected to a harrowing two-day road trip across state lines, during which she endured repeated sexual assaults.
The suspect, 61-year-old Steven Robert Sablan of Cleburne, Texas, now faces federal charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, Sablan allegedly threatened the girl with a handgun, forcing her into his car. He reportedly lured her with false promises of a cruise ship trip to Australia, then subjected her to repeated sexual assaults during the drive to California.
The girl's ordeal took a turn towards hope when Sablan stopped at a laundromat in Long Beach. While he was inside, the resourceful teenager scribbled "help me" on a piece of paper and displayed it from the car window. A concerned witness alerted the Long Beach Police Department, who responded swiftly. Upon arrival, officers witnessed the girl mouthing the word "help" from inside the vehicle.
A search of Sablan's vehicle revealed a BB gun, the "help me" sign, and handcuffs. The girl was identified as a missing person from Texas. Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish praised the community's vigilance and the officers' quick response, emphasizing the crucial role bystanders played in ensuring the girl's safety. If convicted, Sablan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In a separate incident, Fort Worth police released bodycam footage of an officer rescuing a six-month-old baby abandoned by a suspect who allegedly stole the infant's mother's car.
