A 6-year-old girl was taken from her home in Washington Borough, New Jersey, during the early morning hours of September 5. She was found walking back home about an hour later, and the man accused of taking her now faces additional serious charges as investigators continue examining what happened.
Lester Noe Perez-Amador, 27, of Washington Borough, was initially charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree home invasion burglary. Authorities have since filed two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The new charges were announced September 8 after investigators developed additional evidence during the continuing investigation.
Police Received the Call Just Before 3 a.m.
Washington Township police received a report of a missing 6-year-old at approximately 2:51 a.m. Saturday, September 5.
Officers responded to the Washington Borough home and determined during the initial investigation that the child had been taken from the residence.
About an hour after the initial report, authorities found the girl as she was returning home on foot. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not publicly released details about where she had been during that time or how she was able to make her way back home.
The child’s identity has not been released.
Suspect Was Known to the Child
Investigators identified Perez-Amador as the suspect and determined that he was known to the girl.
Authorities have not explained the nature of their relationship.
Perez-Amador was arrested within the first 24 hours of the investigation and remains held at the Warren County Correctional Center in Belvidere.
The investigation itself continued for about 36 hours as detectives and other law enforcement personnel gathered additional evidence.
Additional Charges Filed After Further Investigation
The case took a more serious turn when prosecutors announced the additional charges against Perez-Amador on September 8.
He now faces:
- Two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault
- One count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child
- First-degree kidnapping
- First-degree home invasion burglary
Authorities said the additional sexual-assault charges followed evidence developed during the investigation that supports allegations that the child was sexually assaulted after the kidnapping.
No further details about the alleged assault have been publicly released.
The charges are allegations, and Perez-Amador is presumed innocent unless he is proven guilty in court.
Serious Potential Penalties
The newly filed first-degree aggravated sexual assault charges each carry a potential sentence of 25 years to life in New Jersey State Prison, according to authorities. The third-degree child-endangerment charge carries a potential maximum sentence of five years.
The previously filed first-degree kidnapping charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with 25 years of parole ineligibility.
The first-degree home invasion burglary charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison under the state’s No Early Release Act.
The potential penalties apply only if the charges ultimately result in convictions.
Investigation Involves Multiple Agencies
The investigation has involved local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with specialized units.
Authorities said the Washington Township Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Child Abduction Response Team, Sexual Assault Response Team, Warren County Regional Crime Scene Unit, New Jersey State Police Laboratory, Mansfield Township Police Department, Greenwich Township Police Department, Phillipsburg Police Department and FBI Newark Field Office have been involved.
The broad response reflects the continuing nature of the investigation, which moved from locating a missing child to examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and the additional allegations.
What Happens Next
Perez-Amador remains in the Warren County Correctional Center while the criminal case moves forward.
A hearing on the state’s request for pretrial detention is expected to take place next week, according to authorities.
Investigators have not released every detail of the case, including the precise circumstances surrounding the child’s removal from the home, where she was taken, or the nature of her connection to Perez-Amador.
Authorities are also asking anyone who may have information or surveillance video showing suspicious activity connected to the incident to submit a tip through the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
For the family and community, the case has developed rapidly since the first emergency call early Saturday morning. The child was located approximately an hour after she was reported missing, a suspect was arrested within the first day, and investigators subsequently filed additional charges as the evidence developed.
The latest charges do not change the legal standard facing the defendant: Perez-Amador remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
