The Wichita Police Department has arrested 35-year-old David E. Roark, of Wichita, on multiple charges regarding the abduction of a child from Arkansas, as well as outstanding warrants from Kentucky. The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) and the White County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas.
Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, a Wichita Patrol North supervisor was contacted by a detective sergeant with the White County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance locating a missing child from its jurisdiction. Information received from White County indicated a 14-year-old girl had left home in Arkansas in early November and not returned. A follow-up investigation by White County detectives revealed she'd been seen in a
convenience store with a man before leaving in a vehicle with him. The man was identified as Roark, who was found to have two warrants from the state of Kentucky.
Additional information provided by White County suggested the suspect was possibly in the Wichita area. EMCU and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit began investigating, and located an address in the 1800 block of N. Litchfield in the North Riverside area, where it was believed the suspect was staying. Roark was seen leaving the home, and was taken into custody. The missing child was then located in a closet inside the house. Both were transported to EMCU for additional interviews, where it was discovered further crimes had occurred in Wichita.
A search warrant for the residence was completed, and Roark was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on local charges, and the two Kentucky warrants.
The girl has since been reunited with her family. This case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office Friday morning; Roark has been charged with multiple counts including kidnapping, child abuse, and solicitation of a child.
A first court appearance will take place on the afternoon of Monday, December 19.