FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 17-year-old Fredericksburg girl reported missing last week was found safe Thursday evening in Woodbridge, and the man police said she was believed to be with is now in custody.
According to updated information from Fredericksburg police, the teenager and Ronnie Reel were safely located in Woodbridge about 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Police said the victim was reunited with her family and Reel was in police custody.
Before Thursday’s update, police said the 17-year-old had been reported missing at about 1 p.m. Tuesday. Detectives had received information indicating she was with Reel, 39. Police said at the time they believed missing teen left voluntarily, but she had not been found and directly assessed.
Police had obtained arrest warrants for Reel on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Investigators also said they believed Reel and the victim might be in the Woodbridge area. Police previously said neither was known to have a vehicle and it was unclear how they were traveling.
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Reel was arrested and charged with abduction of a minor and held without bond, according to court records. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Abduction of a minor is a Class 2 felony. If Reel is convicted of this charge, he faces a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $100,000, under Virginia law.
The 17-year-old's disappearance was the second missing-person report involving her in recent days, according to the previous police account. She also had been reported missing the previous Sunday in the 800 block of Lafayette Boulevard and was located Monday.
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