73-year-old Ronnie Lou Helton resides in Corbin.
Late in the afternoon on April 7, Kristy Baker and her boyfriend Tony Goodwin were spending time with Baker’s grandson at her home.
While the boy was playing in the yard, a man reportedly parked his vehicle across the street from the home.
After getting out of his vehicle, the man reportedly approached the youngster while he was near a trailer parked next to a fence.
The suspect, later identified as Helton, allegedly grabbed the child’s hand and attempted to assist him over the fence.
The boy’s grandmother spotted the alleged attempted abduction, and she hollered for the man to release the child.
The toddler immediately fled to his grandmother, and Goodwin reportedly entered the yard.
According to reports, the child ran over and hid behind Goodwin, and he would not let go of the man’s leg.
Helton allegedly made verbal contact with Baker, and she and Goodwin reported that the man asked her if he could purchase her grandson for $1,000.
After Goodwin chased off Helton, the suspect reportedly returned to his vehicle and departed from the scene.
The Corbin Police Department received a report about the incident. The alleged victims were able to capture the license plate number of the vehicle, and they issued the information to the authorities. They also offered a physical description of the man.
Just before 10:00 pm, officers found Helton at an apartment building approximately 5 miles from Baker’s residence.
Helton was taken into custody and booked into the Whitley County Detention Center. He is facing charges for suspicion of promoting human trafficking of a victim under 18-years-old and kidnapping a minor.
He is being held without bail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.