HAHNVILLE, La. — A 14-year-old girl from Tennessee has been safely recovered in the woods of Louisiana after being reported missing. Authorities confirmed she was picked up by a 28-year-old man after they connected online.
The suspect, identified as Alexander Materne, allegedly drove the girl to his residence in St. Rose, Louisiana, on December 23. Reports indicate that following a troubling encounter, the girl informed Materne of her age.
Authorities revealed that Materne subsequently abandoned the girl in a secluded area of Tangipahoa Parish, providing her with a tent, food, and water before heading to Jennings, Louisiana, to celebrate Christmas with relatives.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker indicated that the two had first met on a gaming platform and that Materne had devised a plan to travel to Tennessee.
Materne now faces serious charges, including aggravated kidnapping and multiple counts of human trafficking and carnal knowledge. It remains unclear if he has legal representation.
The significant breakthrough in the investigation came thanks to the girl’s parents, who conducted their own search and were able to trace Materne to Jennings, approximately 160 miles from St. Rose.
Sheriff Sticker praised the parents’ efforts, stating, “They were the key to all of this. I would happily hire these parents as investigators.”
On Christmas Eve, local police received reports that Materne might have the girl in Jennings. After being informed that he had not been residing at his family’s home, officers were later alerted that he returned for the holiday. He cooperated with the authorities during questioning.
Following his interview, Materne led detectives to the girl’s location in the woods, where she had been alone for approximately two days. “This is a Christmas miracle that she was found safe,” Sheriff Sticker remarked, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
After her rescue, the girl was transported to a nearby hospital for a check-up before being reunited with her family.
