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Missouri man accused of kidnapping 16-year-old girl he met online

Published  May 29, 2015 8:37pm CDT
FOX 6 Now Milwaukee



PACIFIC, MO -- A Missouri man is accused of kidnapping a 16-year-old Florida girl and attempting to make her "live a life of sexual slavery."

According to KTVI, Investigators say 46-year-old John Rush, had an online relationship with the teen.

Police say the 46-year-old and 16-year-old were coming back to Rush's Missouri home when deputies found them and arrested Rush. She was found 11 hours after being reported missing.

The 16-year-old girl's mother told police she ran away from home on Thursday, May 28th. Her mother said they had taken away all electronic devices from the teen because she was messaging strangers.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office uncovered several people that the girl had contact with online. Police also found a cell phone that her parents were not aware of. The teen was using it to communicate with someone through e-mails, texts and other messaging apps.

Detectives were able to find surveillance footage of the girl's neighborhood to identify Rush's car -- early Thursday morning, Rush's car was seen at the girl's home.

Police say they have evidence that shows Rush planned on picking the girl up on Thursday, May 28th and taking her back to his Missouri home.

After authorities contacted several law enforcement agencies, Rush's vehicle was stopped in McCracken County, Kentucky. Deputies found a box inside Rush's vehicle filled with several sex toys.

The teen girl was also found.

Rush tells detectives he has been in communication with the victim for three weeks and he is aware she is 16 years old.

According to investigators, Rush claims he was not planning on taking her back home, but he was going to let her parents know she is okay.

According to the Orlando Sentinal, Rush created rules for the girl online -- telling her she would live a life of sexual slavery that included wearing a locking collar.


    John Rush is charged with kidnapping and fugitive from justice in Florida. Additional charges are also expected from Florida and St. Louis County.