Full Breakdown
12-Year-Old Girl Escapes Kidnapper in North Carolina After Seven-Hour Manhunt
8/21/2026, 10:28:20 PM
Kidnapping, Escape and Rescue
On August 16, 12-year-old [unidentified] girl was taken from a sleepover at a friend’s home in Lillington, North Carolina, by 38-year-old Daniel Gear, who is described as the child’s friend’s uncle. Gear forced the child into his pickup truck and drove to a wooded area, where he repeatedly pushed and grabbed her shoulder, making her walk for “a couple of hours.” While Gear’s truck was parked near a Department of Motor Vehicles office in Erwin, the girl fled into the woods, emerged injured and barefoot, and flagged down passing driver Jennifer Maxwell. Maxwell pulled over, spoke with the child, and called 911 before taking her to the Erwin police station.
Investigation and Arrest
Harnett County Sheriff’s Office deputies, assisted by Erwin police, launched a manhunt using drones and K-9 units. After approximately seven hours, officers located Gear in a wooded area along U.S. Highway 421 and placed him under arrest. He was charged with first-degree kidnapping and assault on a female and is being held on a $2.5 million secured bond. A probable-cause hearing is set for early September.
Official Statements & Responses
Sheriff Wayne Coats confirmed Gear’s arrest on social media and reiterated the charges. The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as an “unlawful restraint” and emphasized the rapid response that led to the victim’s safe recovery.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: 12-year-old girl, not publicly identified.
- Suspect: Daniel Gear, 38, male.
- Bond: $2.5 million secured.
- Manhunt duration: roughly seven hours.
- Date of kidnapping and arrest: August 16.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was almost at the DMV right there at the wooded area beside the lawyer's office, and all of a sudden, this little girl came running out of the woods and down the embankment,” — Jennifer Maxwell
- “I seen a little girl run out of the woods down the embankment, and she just dropped in the ditch crying,” — Jennifer Maxwell
- “She said that they drove for a little bit and then he pulled into a wooded area and he made her get out,” — Jennifer Maxwell
These statements from Maxwell illustrate the moment the child emerged from the woods and her description of the kidnapping’s circumstances.
