Woodburn teen kidnapped by man police say had "inappropriate relationship" with victim

[ccharles000]

Woodburn police say a 14-year-old girl was taken from her home early Wednesday morning by a man known to the family.

Juan Martinez Martinez, 36, described as a transient field worker, walked into the home where Elvia Morales lives with her parents.

He confronted the girl's older cousin, then took the girl with him.

Police said this afternoon that "there was an ongoing inappropriate relationship" between Martinez and the victim.

The pair may be headed to California, police said. The suspect used to work with the girl's father but the family has not seen Martinez in about two months.

Woodburn police Capt. Jason Alexander said the agency didn't release information until 12 hours after the girl's disappearance because they were still gathering information on the case throughout the day.

He said police are "very concerned" about the girl's welfare. He said he did not know if the girl went willingly.

The FBI also is investigating. Morales has a diamond-shaped birthmark on her inside left bicep.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/teen_kidnapped_from_woodburn_h.html

[panader0]

1. Is that a picture of the kidnapper?

Just kiddin' ccharles......
Odds are she went willingly if there had already been a relationship.

[classof56]

2. Yes, this is a sad and upsetting story.

Not quite as sad and upsetting as the two miserable excuses for human beings who set off a bomb in a Woodburn bank last year, killing two law enforcement officers and seriously wounding the Woodburn police chief. Compared to that, I'm thining this is a much more less stressful case for Woodburn police, but I do hope they find the girl. I wish her family well, and hope she has come to no harm.