Aberdeen Police have confirmed to Moore County News that the arrest of three men from around the country are connected to the January disappearance of an Aberdeen juvenile.

On January 26, 2025, authorities say the 15-year-old female was reported missing, being last seen at her home around 11:30 that night. After an investigation that included the FBI and the SBI, authorities were able to find the teen in Michigan and determined that she left her home on her own will. She was returned to her parents in Aberdeen shortly after being located.

Authorities say Isiah Kristopher Steed, 18, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was arrested and charged with felony second-degree kidnapping in connection to the case. “Due to the juvenile’s age and her legally not being able to consent to being transported to Michigan, warrants were obtained,” Aberdeen Police say.

Based on information from the juvenile’s cell phone, investigators determined that the teen had communications with other adult males.

On February 5, 2025, authorities arrested 27-year-old Charles Raymond Owens of Hertford, NC. According to Aberdeen Police, Owens was hit with charges of abduction of a child, indecent liberties with a child, solicit child by computer, and first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Another arrest was made on February 14, 2025 when 20-year-old Dustin Ray Goodroe of Fort Bragg, NC, was arrested with the assistance of Fort Bragg Criminal Investigation Division, according to a press release. Aberdeen Police say Goodroe was charged with felony solicitation of a minor by computer device for an unlawful sexual act. Warrants were also obtained for felony first degree kidnaping by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, according to the press release.

Captain Shannon Darling of the Aberdeen Police Department told Moore County News that this remains an on-going investigation.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.