NJ Man Abducts, Sexually Assaults 6-Year-Old Girl, Police Say

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — Additional charges have been filed against the man who is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in Warren County, officials say.

Lester Noe Perez-Amador, 27, of Washington Borough, now faces child endangerment and sexual assault charges following further investigation into the abduction, according to police.

On Saturday, just before 3 a.m., police received a report of a missing six-year-old girl in Washington. Investigators determined that the girl had been taken from her home, officials added.

An hour after the report, the girl was spotted returning to her home, alone, on foot. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

After a 36-hour investigation, police determined Perez-Amador to be responsible, officials said. He was apprehended within the first 24 hours of the investigation, police said.

Investigators also said Perez-Amador was known to the victim, but did not provide specifics.

He was initially charged with first-degree home invasion burglary and first-degree kidnapping. On Tuesday, prosecutors announced he's also been charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

“Our thoughts go out to the victim, and we wish the best to them and their family," said Washington Township Police Chief Christopher Jones. "The collaboration between multiple agencies brought this investigation to a successful conclusion, with the suspect being placed in custody within a short time period."

If convicted on either a kidnapping or sexual assault charge alone, Perez-Amador faces a maximum of life in prison.

He is being held in the Warren County Correctional Center to await court proceedings.