Rowan authorities add kidnapping, other charges against Statesville man involved in teen’s disappearance

Published 7:24 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2018

SALISBURY — A Statesville man faces additional charges in the disappearance of a 14-year-old China Grove girl, who was found with him at a south Charlotte hotel a day after she was reported missing .

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that after a continued investigation, Detective Ryan Barkley charged Jake Robert Kelly, 28, with first-degree kidnapping and five counts of disseminating obscene material to a minor.

He was earlier charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a total bond of $250,000, which was increased by $150,000 because of the new charges.

Lauren Haynes was reported missing by her parents on Dec. 20. Sheriff’s investigators determined that she left her home and met Kelly about 3 a.m. that day, and the two traveled to Statesville.

Rowan and Iredell county investigators searched Statesville and other places in Iredell County but they did not immediately locate the two.

On Dec. 21, investigators received information that Kelly was with Lauren at a south Charlotte hotel. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police went to the hotel and found the black Honda Civic that the two were traveling. They then found Haynes and Kelly.

Kelly was arrested at the hotel and was held until Rowan County and State Bureau of Investigation authorities arrived.

Haynes was reunited with her parents.

Kelly is expected in court today.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.