A 16-year-old girl from North Carolina, who had not been seen for nearly three weeks, was discovered during a traffic stop in Florida, according to law enforcement officials.
The incident occurred on Monday, March 9, when a deputy from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office noticed a vehicle speeding along South US 17 near Crescent City and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the sheriff's office, the passenger in the vehicle provided inaccurate details regarding her name and date of birth.
Authorities identified the driver as 37-year-old Joshua Magraff from Charlotte, North Carolina. Initially, he claimed the girl was his cousin, but the passenger's birth year indicated she was only 12 years old, raising significant safety concerns.
After being placed in the patrol car, the teenager disclosed her real identity, and a follow-up check confirmed she had been reported missing from North Carolina a month prior. Her mother was notified and confirmed that she did not know Magraff, having reported her daughter missing on February 16.
When deputies questioned Magraff about his relationship with the girl, his account reportedly changed multiple times. He first referred to her as a friend and later insisted that he believed she was 19 years old.
Magraff mentioned he traveled to Florida for gambling activities. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found 19 counterfeit $100 bills, synthetic marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
The Department of Children and Families was informed to take custody of the girl until she could be reunified with her mother.
Magraff faced several charges, including interference in child custody, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of counterfeit money, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He is currently being held at Putnam County Jail with a bond set at $9,000.
A video showing the moment he was caught with the girl can be viewed below.
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