Galveston police say a 12-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped on Jan. 30 while walking her dog and later rescued from a hotel after investigators traced an emergency ping from her phone. Authorities arrested 27-year-old Graham Michael Dunn, and police say surveillance footage shows him entering the hotel with the girl. Officers forced entry, freed the child, and detained Dunn, who faces charges including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Officials withheld victim-identifying details and urged survivors to seek confidential support.
12-Year-Old Rescued From Hotel After Alleged Kidnapping While Walking Dog; Suspect Arrested
Graham Michael Dunn.Galveston Police Department
Galveston, Texas — Authorities say a 12-year-old girl was rescued from a hotel room after she was allegedly abducted while walking her dog on Jan. 30.
The Galveston Police Department identified the suspect as 27-year-old Graham Michael Dunn, who was detained following a rescue operation officers described at a Feb. 5 press briefing. Police say the child was reported missing that evening.
How investigators tracked the girl
Police said the girl was approached by Dunn, who had pulled up in a vehicle. According to Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli, Dunn allegedly forced the child into his car and fled the scene. Investigators tracked an "emergency ping" from the girl’s phone to a hotel located a few miles away.
Rescue and arrest
Hotel staff initially had difficulty locating security footage but later provided surveillance video that authorities say shows Dunn entering the hotel accompanied by the girl. Officers forced entry into a hotel room, rescued the child, and detained Dunn at the scene.
Allegations and charges
Police allege Dunn used social media to "lure" the child. At the Feb. 5 briefing, Detective Hector Dominguez said Dunn faces one count of aggravated kidnapping — sexual assault and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Online court records accessed the following day showed a kidnapping charge listed but no plea information available at that time.
Officials released few details about the victim to protect her identity. No additional names of witnesses or hotel staff have been provided publicly.
Support and reporting resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, you can text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. To report suspected child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
This account is based on information released by the Galveston Police Department and reporting by PEOPLE. Investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.
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