AMBER ALERT SUSPECT CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla—John Harding, one of two suspects charged in the October Amber Alert out of Walton County, has been extradited and charged with kidnapping.
On October 28th Joseph Harding, 35, and Paul Lewis Vaughan, 39, entered a home on Otter Pond Road taking Rebecca Harding, 33, and Gracie Harding, 2, by force using brass knuckles, a pool stick, and other weapons. The two men then fled the scene with the victims in a red Ford Mustang.
Multiple agencies responded to help aid in the search including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Holmes, Geneva, Jackson, and Bay County Sheriff’s Offices.
Rebecca and Gracie were located several hours later in Samson, Alabama unharmed.
Vaughan was booked into the Walton County Jail on November 15th where he is being held on a $50,000 bond. Harding was arrested in Holmes County November 21st on aggravated assault charges out of Walton County. He was extradited to Walton County Jail on December 5th and additionally charged with kidnapping.