Officials mum on rescue of girl in 'imminent danger'

A mobile crime lab and squad cars behind the crime tape marking the scene of Monday night's action

Fifteen hours after sheriff's deputies pulled a missing 16-year-old girl from a South Valley house and arrested a man with her, officials aren't shedding any further light on what happened.

Throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning, FBI agents and deputies remained at the house on Kelly Avenue near Atrisco investigating the scene.

Monday evening, California authorities contacted the sheriff's office to say they suspected the missing Los Angeles-area girl was at the Kelly Avenue house.

When deputies approached, they were able to see in a window.

"What they witnessed was chilling," said Sheriff Darren White, refusing to elaborate. He later said, "Her safety and well being were in serious danger."

The man in the house was taken into custody and the girl was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital for a medical evaluation.

A neighbor of the man in the house, whose name has not been released, said that he suspected something wasn't right.

"Lots of people knew that something was funny," said Brian Johnson. "They had to know. They had to see him." Johnson said the man was very attentive to small children.

A press conference at the sheriff's office that may provide more details has been scheduled for this afternoon.

MORE FROM KOB-TV

KOB-TV Section Front

Taos judge dismisses contempt charges   Teenager sentenced to 60 years for murder   Family terrorized as So. NM home is invaded   Cleanup plan released for Grants-era mine site   Governor appoints new human services secretary   Farmington plan recommends $136M in new roads   Dona Ana authorities investigate home invasion   NMAA sells online tickets to 2 football semifinals   DA offers tips for safe holidays   Bingaman to visit Navajo Nation Tuesday KOB-TV Section Front   Add KOB-TV headlines to your news reader: