Abducted 14-year-old girl was being hidden at home of two men, NC sheriff says

A child abandonment investigation turned into an abduction case when deputies learned a 14-year-old girl was being hidden in the home of two 40-year-old men, according to investigators in North Carolina.

The discovery was made around 11 p.m. Monday, as deputies executed a search warrant at the West Center Community mobile home park Lexington, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a May 5 news release.

“Detectives ... were notified by the Davidson County Department of Social Services of a reported child abandonment involving a 14-year-old female juvenile. The juvenile was last reportedly seen on Saturday, May 2,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Detectives responded to the location where the (witness) had contact with the juvenile. Upon arrival, they contacted Samir Ruiz ... who stated he was unaware of the juvenile and that he lived alone at the residence. Detectives observed suspicious behavior and circumstances.”

A search warrant was obtained, resulting in deputies finding the missing teen, along with 40-year-old Rafael Quiroz-Merino, who is in the country illegally, according to court documents.

The teen was taken to a hospital for evaluation and is receiving assistance from the Davidson County Department of Social Services, officials said.

“It was determined that there was no known relationship between Ruiz, Quiroz-Merino and the child,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Samir Ruiz was charged with felony abduction of a child and obstruction of justice. ... Rafael Quiroz-Merino was charged with felony abduction of a child.”

Both men are being held without bond, officials said.

Lexington is about a 50-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.