Published: May 11, 2009 11:15 pm

Authorities searching for man involved with young girl

By BETH FOLEY


Local law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in locating a young Hispanic man whom they say was involved with a 12-year-old girl who allegedly ran away with the man for a brief time.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said Monday that a warrant for unlawful restraint has been issued for the arrest of Luis Fernando Grimaldo, a Hispanic male thought to be 19 years old. More serious charges could be forthcoming against the man, Taylor said, and added that Grimaldo only has a Mexican ID, not a valid Texas driver’s license.

On April 27, the 12-year-old girl was visiting family on ACR 373, Taylor said, when she allegedly left that location with Grimaldo, who was last seen in a 1998 silver Mustang.

A runaway report was filed, and on April 30, sheriff’s officers contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which in turn put out flyers and contacted officials in Mexico and Florida, Taylor said.

“We were afraid that he might have taken her to Mexico,â€