BATON ROUGE — A South Louisiana man arrested in connection with the disappearance of a missing 12-year-old girl in Texas is now facing potential kidnapping charges.
Ariel Anderson, 26, was arrested by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
According to EBRSO investigators, the 12-year-old girl reportedly took her mother’s van without permission on Monday and drove to a nearby motel in Houston. They believe Anderson lured her there. Surveillance footage from the motel showed the two entering and leaving about an hour later.
The pair then reportedly traveled to Baton Rouge, where they were spotted on surveillance footage at Anderson’s apartment complex.
An AMBER Alert was issued in Texas on Tuesday morning, with police stating the girl was in “grave and immediate danger.” She was soon safely located, and Anderson was detained by EBRSO as a person of interest in the case.
Investigators say Anderson initially denied knowing the girl, but he eventually admitted to meeting her in the motel parking lot and said she followed him to his room. They then traveled to Baton Rouge before Anderson claims he returned the girl to Houston after a friend told him he had seen Anderson on the news.
Anderson denied having sexual relations with the victim and said he thought the 12-year-old was either 18 or 19 years old.
In a court hearing in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, a judge set no bond for Anderson. It comes after a judge initially stated that Anderson could be released on his own recognizance after a $5,000 bond. Then it was changed to someone would be required to sign him out of jail if bond was posted. Eventually, a judge said no bond and he has a hold on him for Texas.
Anderson was also required to sign a protective order to stay away from the 12-year-old girl and will not be allowed to travel outside Louisiana.
In addition to the charges in Louisiana, Houston police said Anderson is being investigated for felony kidnapping.
Before his arrest, Anderson worked at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections stated that the agency “separated employment” from Anderson on July 30. Prior to working at Elayn Hunt in December 2023, Anderson worked at Allen Correctional Center.
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