Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office officials announced Tuesday that a 12‑year‑old girl from the Woodruff community was found safe in Independence County, Arkansas, after a coordinated kidnapping investigation. The girl was reported missing at about 5:47 p.m. on Tuesday, prompting a rapid response from both South Carolina and Arkansas law‑enforcement agencies.
Investigation timeline
Surveillance footage captured the child entering a dark‑colored Chevrolet Malibu at approximately 4:25 p.m. on the day she vanished. The vehicle was seen traveling north on South Carolina Highway 101. Using Flock Safety technology, investigators identified the license plate the following afternoon and traced the registered owner to Independence County, Arkansas.
Deputies from the Independence County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle at the owner’s residence and placed the girl into protective custody. The suspects, Brandon Lee Britton and Sierra Britton, were taken into custody and a $1 million bond was set, according to KATV, the ABC affiliate in Little Rock.
Sheriff’s office response
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright praised the multi‑agency effort, noting that roughly 10 to 15 investigators worked through the night, going door‑to‑door and reviewing surveillance footage. “It is a collective job between all of us,” Wright said. “These guys are your heroes. They have done an outstanding job, and what’s tragic is that it happened in the first place. This is the best ending we could have ever asked for.”
Wright highlighted the role of Flock cameras, stating that the technology provided a critical lead that allowed investigators to follow the vehicle from South Carolina into Alabama and ultimately into Arkansas. He added that a damaged Flock camera on an outbound route from Woodruff may have delayed the investigation, underscoring the importance of maintaining such surveillance tools.
Online grooming focus
Brandon Letterman, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigator with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, explained that online enticement is a frequent component of the cyber tips the agency receives. “We get a large number of tips that involve online grooming of children,” Letterman said. He noted that electronic service providers can sometimes identify suspicious activity early, allowing law enforcement to intervene before a crime escalates.
The sheriff’s office said investigators are still determining how long the alleged grooming took place. Sgt. Sarah Arms of the Special Victims Unit said the girl will remain in protective custody while officials assess her physical and mental health.
Community safety reminder
Authorities urged parents to stay actively involved in their children’s online activities, maintain open communication, and set clear boundaries around electronic devices. The investigation remains active, and additional charges could be filed in both South Carolina and Arkansas as the case progresses.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
