Two Men Charged with Kidnapping, Human Trafficking After 15-Year-Old Found in Kitty Hawk, NC

A 15-year-old girl from Spring Lake, North Carolina, who was reported missing, has been found safe in Kitty Hawk, and two men have been arrested on multiple charges including human trafficking and kidnapping. The suspects, Elihue Martin Mahler, 31, and Austyn Lee Cole, 23, were taken into custody after the FBI and local law enforcement utilized surveillance technology to track the victim's location. The girl had been transported to Kitty Hawk and Virginia Beach before her recovery. The Amber Alert issued for her was canceled following her safe return to her family. Authorities emphasized that minors in such situations are victims of manipulation by predators. The investigation into the case continues as the suspects await their court appearance.