Suspect in kidnapped teen raid near Barrie released to mom
· Toronto Sun
One of two suspects accused of holding a 15-year-old girl captive in Essa Township earlier this month is free on bail.
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One of the men charged with the crime, 20-year-old Samuel Kelly, spent a week in jail after a high-risk arrest before a Barrie court granted him bail.
Both Kelly and 41-year-old Jason Demerchant were arrested after members of the Ontario Provincial Police Major Crimes Unit, as well as those with the Tactics and Rescue Unit and Emergency Response Team, conducted an early-morning raid of a home in Essa Township on Sept. 2 to rescue the girl.
Essa Township, located just southwest of Barrie, is about 75 km northwest of Toronto.
Police allege both Kelly and Demerchant lured the young girl to a home, provided her with cannabis and alcohol, and concealed her location from authorities, who were trying to locate her.
Demerchant is charged with abducting a person under 16, luring, obstruction, uttering threats and weapons offences.
Kelly faces a single count of abduction.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Police decline to provide more information
While Demerchant remains behind bars, Kelly was released to his mother’s custody and remains under strict house arrest conditions with a $6,000 surety.
OPP major crime investigators say the probe remains active, though details are tightly guarded to protect the young victim’s identity.
Police are also declining to disclose whether more suspects are outstanding, citing the ongoing investigation.
Kelly is scheduled to return to court virtually next month, while Demerchant makes his next appearance from jail.
Anybody with information should call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or leave an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers.