Crime

North Carolina Girl Found Safe at West Virginia Walmart; Man Charged with Kidnapping

ByCaleb Ward October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

MOUNDSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA – An 11-year-old girl reported missing in North Carolina was found safe Tuesday evening at a Walmart in West Virginia after a large-scale law enforcement search involving the FBI and multiple local agencies, authorities confirmed.

Police said Luke Henderson, of Moundsville, West Virginia, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping following the recovery of the child.

FBI Tracked Girl’s Location Through Electronic Device

According to officials, the search intensified after the FBI traced the girl’s electronic device to the area of a Walmart in Marshall County. Officers responded to the store around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, locking down the building as they combed through aisles and nearby areas.

Within minutes, authorities found the missing girl with a woman, who was detained for questioning. Investigators said the woman is not currently considered a person of interest in the case.

Suspect Arrested Without Incident

Information gathered from the woman led police to Henderson’s residence in Moundsville, where he was taken into custody without resistance. He now faces kidnapping charges and remains held as the investigation continues.

Police said the girl told investigators she had been taken from her home in North Carolina, prompting urgent coordination between state and federal agencies.

Multi-Agency Response Led to Swift Recovery

Authorities from multiple jurisdictions, including local police, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, worked together to locate the child. Officials have since arranged for her safe return to North Carolina.

“The quick response and collaboration between law enforcement partners ensured this child was found safely and returned to her family,” said one investigator familiar with the case.

Investigation Ongoing

Law enforcement officials have not yet released details about how the girl and Henderson may have known each other or the circumstances leading to the abduction.

The FBI and local police continue to investigate, and additional charges may follow pending interviews and forensic analysis.

Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for ongoing updates as authorities release more information about the case.

Caleb Ward

Caleb Ward is a South Carolina-based journalist focused on crime, emergency response, and public safety reporting across the Carolinas and Georgia. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to the facts, he brings clarity to fast-moving local developments.