FORT MYERS, Fla. A 33 year-old man was arrested Wednesday in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young girl, Fort Myers police said.
William Devon Cole, of Lehigh Acres, took the girl from her home early Wednesday morning, police said. Police received a 911 call just after 4 a.m. after a relative spotted Cole in the area of 2990 Edison Ave.
Officers found the child and Cole’s vehicle in the area of Cranford and Lafayette streets around 4:52 a.m. Police later found Cole hiding behind 2676 St. Charles St., and he was taken into custody, according to the police department.
The girl was reunited with her family, a source said. She was taken to the Child Advocacy Center for an interview with a member of the Child Protective Team, where it was discovered that Cole had sexually assaulted her.
Cole is facing one count of kidnapping/false imprisonment of child with sexual battery, one count of sexual assault/battery victim under 12 years of age, and one count of cruelty to a child without great bodily harm.
The girl’s age is unclear.