An Arkansas couple, Brandon Lee Britten and Sierra Dawn Britten, are being held on $1 million bond after a 12-year-old Woodruff Middle School girl was found safe and reunited with her parents. Surveillance and Flock camera footage led investigators to a residence where the girl was recovered on Sept. 9. Spartanburg County obtained a kidnapping warrant for Brandon Britten, and Independence County is coordinating with the FBI as local prosecutors prepare formal charges.
Arkansas Couple Held on $1M Bond After 12-Year-Old South Carolina Girl Found; Federal Charges Possible
Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne holds a press conference about the abduction of a 12-year-old girl. The suspects are in Arkansas being held on a $1 million bond. Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office/Provided
An Arkansas couple, Brandon Lee Britten and Sierra Dawn Britten, are being held on a $1 million bond in Independence County after a 12-year-old Woodruff Middle School girl was located safe and reunited with her parents. Authorities say investigators are coordinating with federal partners as they determine whether federal charges are warranted.
In a Sept. 11 news release, the Independence County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) said Arkansas Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Edington found probable cause for the arrests and set bond at $1 million. Local prosecutors have up to 60 days to file formal charges in Independence County.
Sequence of Events
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office received a report that the girl was missing just after 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 8. She was last seen walking on Arnold Road toward Highway 101. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing the girl walking along Highway 101 and later identified video that appeared to show her entering a Chevrolet Malibu around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8.
On the afternoon of Sept. 9, deputies used a Flock camera to locate a vehicle that matched the surveillance footage. That lead connected the vehicle owner to information provided by the girl's family. Spartanburg authorities requested a welfare check from the Independence County Sheriff's Office, and Independence County investigators found the girl at the associated residence. Brandon and Sierra Britten were taken into custody at that location.
Investigations and Care
Spartanburg County authorities say they obtained a warrant charging Brandon Britten with kidnapping; prosecutors have not filed charges against Sierra Britten in Spartanburg County, officials said. Independence County has not yet publicly filed its charges. Sheriff Shawn Stephens said the county is "working up our charges" and consulting with the prosecuting attorney. He added that investigators are coordinating with the FBI regarding possible federal charges.
At a press conference, Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne said the girl had been "groomed" online by a predator prior to the abduction. Sheriff Rhyne also noted investigators believe the search could have concluded sooner if a Flock camera in Woodruff had not been damaged by vandalism.
After her recovery, the child was taken to the Children's Advocacy Center of Independence County for a forensic interview and medical examination while law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence. She was then transported to the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranch and remained in care there until her parents picked her up the morning of Sept. 10, the ICSO said.
Custody, Extradition and Next Steps
ICS O officials say bond is set at $1 million. Spartanburg County spokesman Lt. Graham McLellan noted that if Brandon Britten bonds out in Arkansas, he would be extradited to Spartanburg County — unless federal charges alter the process. Independence County has up to 60 days to formally file local charges, and the FBI is involved to assess any federal jurisdiction.
Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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