Erwin Man Charged With Kidnapping Five Year Old Girl

A five year old Erwin Tennessee girl who was kidnapped from her own yard is now safe and an Erwin man is in custody in connection to the kidnapping. 26 year old Justin Claude Richardson drove to the girl’s home on Unicoi Drive and pulled the child into his van and drove off. After a period of time, Richardson dropped the girl off on Volunteer Drive near her home. Richardson was arrested later that day and is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping. Richardson now has a court appearance scheduled in General Sessions Court. Police say Richardson is a suspect in other cases in the region.