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Highlands Today

Cops: Man Takes Victim From Home Without Consent

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: February 25, 2009

LAKE PLACID - An Okeechobee man remained in jail Tuesday on a $50,000 bond after allegedly secretly taking a victim from her residence without her legal guardian's consent.

Richard Joe Kelting, 36, of Okeechobee, was arrested Sunday and charged with interfering with custody of an impaired person, burglary with assault or battery and abuse of an elderly or disabled adult without great harm. The alleged offense happened at Kissimmee River Estates in Highlands County.

Authorities were told that a neighbor - identified as "Joe" - had entered a home and taken the victim, whose name and age was redacted, from the residence without permission, according to the arrest report.

The victim cannot verbally communicate or use her hands in any capacity, the report stated. She also cannot get to her feet or walk without assistance, and will only walk when grabbed and led in a certain direction.

Law enforcement was advised that Joe had come by the residence earlier in the day and asked to borrow a movie. While there, he allegedly asked if he could take the victim for a walk, but was told no. The suspect then left.

Another resident went into a back bedroom, was gone approximately one minute and returned to find that the victim was gone, the report stated.

Residents searched for the missing victim inside the house. A man then ran out to the road and reportedly saw Joe holding the victim by the forearm and leading her away.

Joe, who was later identified as Richard Joe Kelting, told the man he was simply taking the victim for a walk. The gentleman took hold of the girl and "ran as fast as he could back to his residence," the report stated.

The suspect followed the man back to the residence, but was told to get off the property.

Kelting reportedly told authorities he had left the residence, but came back after realizing he had left his cigarettes. He went back, knocked on the door and heard someone holler "yo." The suspect said he went in, explained about forgetting his cigarettes, retrieved them and then saw the victim sitting on the couch.

He said the victim stood up, took his arm and followed him out of the house and down the stairs, the report stated. The suspect reportedly told authorities he did want to take her for a walk to loosen her limbs, but did not have permission from the legal guardians.

Authorities spoke to another person in the house, who advised the victim is terrified about going down stairs, is not capable of walking down steep steps or the street without assistance and cannot get to her feet without help, according to the report.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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