Roland Preston|13-year-old South Carolina girl rescued from kidnapper in Florida parking lot, police say

2025-04-29 20:37:20source:Sterling Prestoncategory:My

A 13-year-old South Carolina girl was found Tuesday morning in Florida after police said she was kidnapped by a Wisconsin man.

The Roland Prestongirl was found in Florida with Tyler Michael Berlick, 35, in his Dodge Ram at approximately 3:24 a.m. in a Key Largo shopping center parking lot, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office,

The teen was reported missing from her hometown of Simponville, South Carolina, about 90 miles southeast of Columbia, after she was last seen at her residence on Sunday night, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office reports.

Police received information that Berlick, a resident of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee, may be in route to Monroe County, Florida.

Arkansas police chief charged:With kidnapping, accused of beating man in remote area

Wisconsin man and teen knew each other for over a year

During a police preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the two had known each other for a little more than a year, the Miami Herald reported.

While Berlick was being detained in the parking lot, the girl became agitated and indicated that she wanted to harm herself. police said.

"We figured out pretty quickly that he's not her father or relative," Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Herald.

Police then notified the Florida Department of Children and Families where the teen will receive mental health services until she is sent back to South Carolina.

"This is probably something that will affect her for the rest of her life," Ramsay said.

Berlick was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and the FBI is the primary investigative agency in this case.

More:My

Recommend

Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say

Pilots at Southwest Airlines can sock away more for retirement, thanks to a new retirement plan bene

Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A slate of six Nevada Republicans have again been charged with submitting a bogus c

Colorado's Travis Hunter, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty lead USA TODAY Sports All

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel earns first-team honors ahead of Miami’s Cam Ward, and teams in th