Investigators learned the child met Kyle Eckmann through social media within the last few years and the two have spoken on and off.
RUSK COUNTY, Texas — A San Antonio man is facing multiple charges, including kidnapping and child abuse, after allegedly taking an East Texas child against at her will across the state and into New Mexico.
Kyle Steven Eckmann, 20, was booked into the Luna Detention Center in New Mexico in connection with accusations of taking a 15-year-old girl he met on social media from Rusk County all the way to New Mexico, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the New Mexico State Police, he has been charged with:
- Kidnapping (first degree)
- Aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer
- Child abuse
- Intimidation of a witness
After responding to a missing child report on Aug. 20, an investigation led deputies to find that Eckmann picked up the child. The sheriff’s office learned the child would be home in 15 to 20 minutes. The child was also making statements about self-harm to a parent and she never returned home. Deputies learned Eckmann used a credit card to buy gas in Henderson.
By tracking his cell phone, the sheriff’s office discovered Eckmann traveled to the San Antonio and Austin Texas area prior to traveling to El Paso, Texas and into New Mexico. New Mexico State Police found his vehicle on Interstate 10 during the night of Aug. 22 and he drove away east before crossing into opposite lanes and into a ditch filled with water, RCSO said.
The child was found in the vehicle and she told authorities she was being held against her will and she was in fear for her life. Eckmann started reaching for his waistband and making threatening statements upon getting out of the vehicle. He was booked into the detention center and the girl was taken to an area hospital, officials said.
During an interview, the child told investigators that she and Eckmann left her home to talk Eckmann out of harming himself. The child wanted to return home after a short time, but Eckmann would not allow it. She said there was no sexual assault or injury during the ride, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators learned the child met Eckmann through social media within the last few years and the two have spoken on and off. Many agencies in both Texas and New Mexico assisted with the investigation.
The child’s mother is in route to Las Cruces, New Mexico where the child is in the care of New Mexico Family and Protective Services. Warrants for kidnapping and unlawful restraint have been issued for Eckmann, the sheriff’s office said.