A Florida man was arrested after allegedly kidnapping a teenage girl and hiding her inside a clothes dryer at his Key Largo home, authorities said.
Christopher Michael Veit, 53, faces charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment and unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities responded to a home on Miramar Drive at approximately 11:45 a.m. Sunday, after the alleged victim called 911 and reported that she was being held hostage.
Deputies later found the teenage girl hidden inside a clothes dryer at the residence, according to investigators.
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Authorities said Veit restrained the girl before placing her inside the dryer.
Investigators said Veit allegedly took the girl’s cellphone after she said she wanted to leave the home.
The victim was found without life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Authorities said the girl is not from Key Largo, though her connection to Veit was not immediately clear.
Investigators said they uncovered evidence of an ongoing sexual relationship between Veit and the victim.
The teenage girl was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being released into the custody of a family member, officials said.
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The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified following the incident.
Detectives responded to the scene and collected evidence, officials said, including “several sheets” of counterfeit currency.
The U.S. Secret Service was notified upon the discovery, authorities said.
The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
