Overview
- The 13-year-old was located and rescued from a Scottish Inn motel room on Philips Highway after investigators tracked her more than 130 miles from southeast Georgia to Jacksonville, an operation that concluded on July 16.
- Two adults, 42-year-old Jonathon Kelly and 32-year-old Giovannie Carter, were arrested and face multiple charges including kidnapping and home invasion as the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation take the lead in the inquiry.
- Officials say Kelly fled the room when officers arrived, attempted to drive away, nearly struck a JSO SWAT vehicle and then crashed into the motel before he was taken into custody.
- On July 25 the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released exterior body‑worn camera footage showing the rescue to document the response, while declining to release interior room video for legal and privacy reasons.
- The girl is reported safe and receiving support from authorities, and investigators continue a multi‑jurisdictional probe that could produce further charges or court actions as evidence is reviewed.