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Father Charged With Rape After missing Tennessee Girl Is Found In Wisconsin

Posted at 3:50 PM, Feb 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-03 15:50:54-05

MONROE COUNTY, Tn. (CNN) – A 14-year-old girl who disappeared from Tennessee more than two weeks ago has been found alive in Wisconsin and her father is now charged with rape, authorities said Thursday.

The girl is “doing fine,” Sheriff Tommy Jones of Monroe County, Tennessee, said Thursday.

Randall Pruitt, who adopted the girl, was arrested Thursday in Tennessee and charged with rape, the sheriff said. “(The girl) would be the victim in that,” Jones said.

The sheriff did not provide many details about the case in a news conference Thursday, but said there could be additional suspects.

“I’m having to be vague on all my statements because this is still an ongoing investigation,” he said. “At this point, we are still investigating there’s a possibility of multiple other charges coming forth with multiple people involved.”

Asked if there is a connection between the girl and the residence where she was found, Jones told reporters his office does not believe there is any relation to the person living in the Wisconsin home.

Pruitt is being held with no bond and his first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s online records.

CNN is not naming the girl because she is the alleged victim of sexual assault.

The girl had last been seen January 13 at her home in Madisonville, in eastern Tennessee between Chattanooga and Knoxville.