Philadelphia Kidnapping Victim Says She Befriended Abductor
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iStock/Thinkstock(PHILADELPHIA) — The father of the Philadelphia woman who was plucked off the street earlier this month said his 22-year-old daughter befriended her captor in order to survive.
“I’m glad that my daughter was a friendly person and got him into being a friendly guy so he wouldn’t harm her,” Carl Freeland said. “I give all the praise to my daughter. She’s the hero.”
Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, 22, was found inside a parked car in Jessup, Maryland, days after she was kidnapped. Her alleged abductor, Delvin Barnes, 37, was arrested at the scene, authorities said.
Freeland said his daughter is still “a little distraught” but is doing well. He spoke after the City Council honored those who took part in finding Freeland-Gaither.
Also at the event were her grandfather Derek Alston and Dwayne Fletcher, who called police when he witnessed the abduction.
Alston said that his granddaughter “more or less convinced him to be her friend.”
He went on to say his granddaughter had hit Barnes over the head with a hammer at one point during her capture, according to ABC affiliate WPVI.
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