MUST READ: Man charged with kidnapping after missing Randburg teen is found
BLAIRGOWRIE – Police say the charge is just procedure, and more investigation is needed.
A 22-year-old man has been charged with drug possession and kidnapping, after being arrested in the company of Brittany Barnes, a Randpark Ridge teenager who went missing.
Police say the kidnapping charge is just procedure, and more investigation is required.
Read: BREAKING: Missing Randburg teen found
Barnes (17) went missing after going for a walk outside her house at around 4pm on 17 April. She was found in Blairgowrie at about 9am on 28 April after large-scale social media circulation and mass efforts from missing person’s organisations to find her.
Read: UPDATE: Parents describe missing 17 year old as ‘outgoing and energetic’
People Search and Rescue Unit (Psaru) members found Barnes and the man and took them to Linden Police Station, where police spokesperson Captain Walter Spencer confirmed that the man was charged for being in possession of marijuana.
“Because Barnes is a minor she has been reunited with her parents,” said Spencer. “I do believe that the kidnapping charge is procedure but more investigation is needed. The kidnapping case is being handled by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit of the South African Police Service,” added Spencer.
Barnes’ father, Andrew, declined to comment on the kidnapping charge, but said when his daughter was found, “She [Barnes] suffers from bipolar disorder and she has been off her medication for 10 days.” The relieved father added that she would be taken to a psychiatric facility for evaluation.
“I am so blown away by the support that we have received. My eyes have been opened to the rainbow nation that we truly are.”
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Randburg’s two teens still missing
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* Certain information regarding Barnes has been removed, as she is a minor.
