This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union
WARSAW — A Michigan man is charged with child solicitation and kidnapping after allegedly being found with a child in a Michigan hotel room.
Austin Tylor Birtel, 27, Port Huron, Mich., is charged with child solicitation, a level 4 felony; and kidnapping, a level 5 felony. He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 3:12 p.m. Monday with a $70,500 preliminary bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 13, Kosciusko County Dispatch advised law enforcement a child ran away from their home. A Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputy responded.
The deputy spoke with a woman who said the child left the residence about 1 a.m. The woman realized the child never returned about 3 a.m.
The woman said she located an iPad the child used to communicate with Birtel, who used his cell phone number. Law enforcement reviewed messages on the iPad between the child and Birtel, finding a screenshot of two Greyhound bus tickets from South Bend to Cleveland, Ohio. Birtel explained to the child they were allowed to travel on the bus with an adult.
Law enforcement contacted Greyhound, who said Birtel purchased a ticket for himself and someone else. Greyhound video indicated only one ticket was scanned and video showed an unknown male used Birtel’s ticket to ride the bus, according to court documents.
Through law enforcement resources, officers determined Birtel’s cell phone was located at a hotel in Kalamazoo, Mich., and showed Birtel’s way of travel. Birtel traveled from Roann to the child’s residence, then to a hotel in South Bend and stopped at a hotel in Kalamazoo, Mich., where it remained.
A KCSO detective responded to the hotel in Kalamazoo and spoke with the hotel manager and confirmed Birtel was there.
The Kalamazoo Police Department and Michigan State Police arrived at the hotel to assist and located Birtel and the child inside. Police noted the child had dyed their hair. Kalamazoo officers spoke with Birtel, and he refused to provide a statement.
The KCSO detective spoke with the child, who said on Sept. 13, they left their residence with Birtel and ended up in Kalamazoo.
The child said they and Birtel planned to have sex, but the child didn’t want to get Birtel in trouble, so they made out on the bed. Their plan was to travel around the United States together.
