SECOND SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH OCTOBER AMBER ALERT
For Immediate Release
November 21, 2017
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla—A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the October Amber Alert out of Walton County.
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 a 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 Monday evening and is currently being held on aggravated assault charges out of Walton County. He is awaiting extradition. More charges are forthcoming.