The reward for a 13-year-old kidnapped in North Carolina has been increased to $20,000.
Hania Noelia Aguilar was kidnapped from her front yard in Lumberton, on Nov. 5, after a man grabbed her and forced her into a stolen SUV.
The stolen SUV was spotted several days later on surveillance footage and soon found by investigators.
The FBI offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to the location of Aguilar, and the North Carolina governor’s office announced it would add $5,000 to that to make it $20,000.
“It breaks my heart to stand here before you five days later after Hania’s been missing and kidnapped, and not have her back home yet,” Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill said at a Nov. 9 press conference, announcing the increase of the award, reported WBTW.
“We’re working real hard, real hard, with all the law enforcement partners we’ve got, all the community that we have here. They’re working hard to bring her home to her family, which is my family also.”
Officials have asked for help identifying a man who was walking near the scene of the kidnapping, releasing video footage of him (embedded below). He was wearing light-colored shoes, a light-colored shirt, and a hoodie.
“Someone knows this man and we need you to call us with information. Maybe you recognize the way he walks, his mannerisms, or maybe he’ll recognize himself on TV,” added Andy De La Rocha, a senior supervisory resident agent with the FBI. “The person responsible, if they’re watching this, we’re coming after you. We’re not going to stop, we’re not going to stop in the pursuit of justice.”
Plea for Mercy
Aguilar’s mother has pleaded with the kidnapper for mercy.
“I just want my daughter back with me. I’m here waiting for you. I love you and only care about you. And I don’t have anything against whoever did this to you—I just want you back,” she said on Nov. 6, in a statement read by Andy De La Rocha.
Aguilar is described as a 13-year-old Hispanic female with long black hair, brown eyes, and braces, standing 5 feet tall and weighing 126 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt with flowers and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Lumberton Police Department’s special tip line at 910-272-5871./
