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The stepfather of a 19-year-old girl who disappeared in Virginia more than a decade ago is now facing multiple sex crimes related to her and other victims, according to authorities.
James Blanton arrested Spotsylvania County detectives and Virginia State Police conducted a joint investigation on Friday, April 10, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release.
Brandon – he was the last person to see his stepdaughter, Caitlin Akins – Charged with two counts aggravated sexual abuseTwo counts of indecent conduct with a child in a custodial relationship, two counts of indecent exposure of a child and two counts of child abuse, WUSA reported.
The charges involve underage victims, according to authorities.
It was unclear whether Blanton, 46, had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Akens has been missing since December 2015, when she disappeared 19, according to the Sheriff’s Office cold case database.
She grew up in Spotsylvania, Virginia, and has lived in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities said she was in Spotsylvania before she disappeared and was due to board a flight back to Arizona on December 5, 2015, WUSA reported.
Arkens’ mother, Lisa SullivanSullivan previously told WUSA that he took her to Blanton’s home before the flight because he was supposed to drop her off at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Sullivan was never at the airport, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“Her bank account was never used again” after that day, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Two days later, on Dec. 7, 2015, Akens’ suitcase, which contained her ID but was nearly empty, was abandoned on a roadside in Spotsylvania, according to authorities.
“It is unknown who placed the luggage there or why. As of now, no one has seen Caitlin Akins and there is no trace of her in bank accounts, social media or any other means,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its cold case database. “Her stepfather was initially cooperative but later declined to assist with this investigation.”
According to authorities, Akins disappeared the same day her suitcase was found.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to search for her.
“As we remain committed to locating Caitlin and bringing her home to her family, anyone with information is asked to contact us at (800) 928-5822 or (540) 582-5822,” the agency said in a news release.
