HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — The man accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old girl in Hardin County made his first court appearance on Monday.
Charles Castle was arrested and charged in connection to the disappearance of the girl.
She was reported missing on Nov. 11 after being last seen the previous night at her home on the 600 block of South Leighton Street.
The girl was found alive Friday night in an abandoned home on Township Road 180 a few miles from where she was last seen.
“It was a tip from a long-time Hardin County resident. It was a tip he felt wasn't much,” said Kenton Police Chief Dennis Musser.
That tipster apparently had a conversation with Castle several months ago and called the Kenton police officer he knew best, the school resource officer.
“The gentleman recalled a conversation that had taken place some time ago, months and months before all of this had happened. He thought it was rather odd. It was a conversation with our suspect,” the chief explained.
During his arraignment, the prosecution read off a list of past convictions for Castle including drug possession to burglary.
“The court is aware of a lot of those cases that [the prosecution] has alluded to because the court has heard all of them basically since 2006,” said Judge Gregory Grimslid. “During that time, I've had to issue bench warrants on failure to appear on those. I do find you to be a flight risk.”
The judge agreed with the prosecution and issued a $750,000 bond for Castle. If released, he will be required to wear an ankle monitor, have a curfew and stay in Hardin County.
Castle is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 19.