A disturbing kidnapping case in Key Largo, Florida, ended with the dramatic rescue of a teenage girl who had been held against her will in a local man’s home. On Sunday at about 11:45 a.m., she called 911 and said she was being held hostage. When deputies arrived, they found her hidden inside a clothes dryer.
The homeowner, 53-year-old Christopher Michael White, was arrested at the scene. Investigators said he had restrained the victim and taken her phone after she tried to leave. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, White faces charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment, interference with child custody, and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Detectives said they found evidence suggesting an ongoing sexual relationship between White and the girl, who is not from the area. The victim was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and then placed in the care of a family member. Florida’s Department of Children and Families was formally notified and began its standard response.
During the search of the house, investigators also found several sheets of counterfeit bills. That discovery brought in the U.S. Secret Service, which is expected to examine the evidence. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still active and that additional charges may be filed as more evidence is reviewed. The article noted that Monroe County had recently been praised for Operation Dragon Eye, which rescued dozens of missing children, while the FBI has also been carrying out similar child-rescue efforts elsewhere in Florida.
