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Missing Amish Girl Update
I’m sad and angry to have to write this update.
In late June, I told you about an 18-year-old Amish girl named Linda Stoltzfoos who had gone missing from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Many assumed that she ran away to start a new life, but that seemed unlikely, as she showed no signs of wanting to leave the church, nor did she reach out to anyone to let them know she was OK.
It just broke less than an hour ago that a man has been arrested for abducting Linda. The name of this piece of garbage is Justo Smoker, 34. He hails from Paradise Township, not far from where Linda was taken. [1]
However, Linda is still missing. Investigators found clothing buried in the woods that they believe may belong to her, but apparently Justo Smoker isn’t talking.
There is still hope that she is alive, but if we’re being honest… She was probably murdered. I think it’s also safe to assume she was sexually assaulted.
The district attorney’s office is quoted as saying:
“Investigators have reason to believe Stoltzfoos was harmed following her abduction.” [2]
Justo Smoker has been charged with felony kidnapping and a misdemeanor of false imprisonment.
One article explains:
“Smoker became a person of interest in the kidnapping after police received information about a red/orange vehicle seen in the Gap area on the afternoon of the abduction. Multiple witnesses in that area reported seeing an Amish female in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a male. Witness descriptions of the driver and vehicle are consistent with Smoker and his vehicle. Police also obtained and viewed surveillance video — enhanced by FBI forensic technicians — that depicts the abduction of Linda Stoltzfoos on Beechdale Road. That video shows a red Kia Rio involved in the abduction. Beechdale Road would have been part of Stoltzfoos’ walking route back home after church.” [1]
