It took a massive effort on the part of the FBI and local law enforcement to bring justice to the two families whose lives were devastated when Justin Christian kidnapped and raped a 6-year-old girl in Cleveland and attempted to abduct a 10-year-old girl in Elyria.
Justin Christian, 30, of Lorain, pleaded guilty in September to kidnapping, rape, gross sexual imposition and burglary, shackling him with a 35-year prison sentence.
In Feb. 2016, Christian attempted to kidnap a 10-year-old girl from her Furnace Street home in Elyria. The girl was able to fend off the attack by kicking Christian and screaming for her father.
In May of 2016, Christian kidnapped a sleeping 6-year-old from her home on West 104th Street in Cleveland and took her to the house he shared with this mother and step father on West 22nd Street in Lorain where over 17 hours he raped her and put her in a duffel bag where she stayed while Christian drove back to Cleveland and left her out on the street alone.
She was found be a passerby who immediately notified police.
Parents of the girls said they agreed to a plea deal so their children would not have to testify against Christian and possibly cause even more trauma in their lives.