A 12-year-old girl who was reported abducted from South Carolina was found inside a home in Independence County, Arkansas, and told officers she "wanted her momma," authorities said. The child was discovered shaking in a back bathroom after investigators traced a vehicle to the residence.
Arrest and Charges
Independence County deputies arrested Brandon Lee Britten, 31, and Sierra Dawn Britten, 28, in connection with the alleged abduction and sexual assault of the child on Sept. 9. According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Brandon faces charges including rape, internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sexual act with a minor. Sierra is charged as an accomplice to rape, an accomplice to internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.
How the Child Was Located
Investigators in Spartanburg County, S.C., provided information that a black Chevy Malibu with Arkansas plates may have been used in the abduction. Deputies traced the vehicle to the Brittens' home in northern Independence County. After repeated attempts to contact the occupants, the couple emerged and Brandon acknowledged the child was inside, the affidavit says.
Lieutenant Zach Rawlins wrote in the affidavit that Sierra attempted to block officers from entering the home, "trying to keep me from locating the 12-year-old," and that she had to be physically removed so deputies could locate the child. Officers found the girl in a back bathroom "with her face and hands against the wall shaking." After deputies identified themselves, the minor thanked them and told them she wanted her mother.
"She told officers she wanted her momma," the affidavit states.
Allegations From the Affidavit
The affidavit says the girl told investigators she had met the couple online and believed she was going to meet a 15-year-old boy, with Sierra presented as his roommate. The victim alleges that after arriving at the Brittens' home, Brandon took her into a bedroom and sexually assaulted her. In interviews, Sierra initially told police she thought the girl was 18, then later said she believed the child was 14.
Sierra reportedly arranged Brandon's trip to South Carolina around her work so he could use their car to pick up the child, and confirmed that after returning to the home, Brandon took the child into their bedroom while Sierra slept in their young son's room.
Aftermath
The child was taken to the Children's Advocacy Center of Independence County for a forensic interview and medical examination and has since been reunited with her parents, the sheriff's office said. Both Brandon and Sierra Britten are being held on $1,000,000 bond each. The charges are allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
