A Minnesota farmer called the kidnapped teen he rescued this summer “the real hero” and handed over the $7,000 reward money to her.
According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, the 15-year-old girl was abducted on Aug. 8 and taken to a home where police said three men sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 29 days. The teen was able to escape and swim across a lake to safety. When Earl Melchert saw her running across his field, he recognized her and sheltered her in his pickup until the police arrived.
The Alexandria Police Department posted this on Facebook Friday after Melchert turned the reward money over to the teen along with a big hug:
