Man says ransom was initial reason for abduction
Federal prosecutors say the man accused of abducting a 13-year-old Duluth girl initially planned to hold her for ransom.
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in St. Paul charges 41-year-old Todd Richard Franik with kidnapping. The complaint says Franik also sexually fondled the girl.
Prosecutors say Franik abandoned his ransom plan after leaving the girl bound to a tree with duct tape and gagged near Jay Cooke State Park.
The Duluth News Tribune says that after her abductor left, the girl was able to chew through her duct tape and walked to a supper club in Douglas County, Wis., to get help.
---
Information from: Duluth News Tribune
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.