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Surveillance footage of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither getting abducted blocks away from her Philadelphia home on Sunday (November 2) rallied together the general public, who had one goal in mind: find the 22-year-old woman at all costs. Thankfully, that’s happened, as Freeland-Gaither was found alive in Maryland and a man police call a “vicious predator” is now in custody.

Freeland-Gaither’s story was spread by news outlets and social media users alike, creating enough awareness for someone to recognize the car she was forced into. She was rescued on a road in Jessup, MD from the vehicle of her alleged kidnapper, 37-year-old Delvin Barnes, officials said.

“I’m taking my baby home. Thank you,” Keisha Gaither, the woman’s mother said overjoyed at a news conference on Wednesday night. Her family applauded as she spoke.

 

“It’s very special for all of us. You hope, you hope, you hope, but you don’t always know that it will end this way,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.

Edwark Hanko of FBI’s Philadelphia division said tips from the public helped authorities track down the car of and eventually apprehend Barnes. The man, who reportedly has ties to Philadelphia, attacked Freeland-Gaither without cause.

“He’s a thug and this is what he does apparently,” Ramsey said of the alleged abductor. “He’s a vicious predator. He’s off the streets.”

Barnes is currently being held in Virginia for a bench warrant for an alleged capital attempted murder in Charles City County. He will be charged federally in the alleged kidnapping and assault.

More importantly, Freeland-Gaither was taken to a Columbia, Maryland for treatment for injuries. She’s expected to recover.

[via NBC 10]

Photo: NBC 10