The man allegedly drove nearly 70 miles from his home in Acworth to the child’s home in Bethlehem.

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — It’s been nearly four years since a 12-year-old child disappeared from her home in Bethlehem before being found nearly 24 hours later, 150 miles away in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at a Walmart.

It’s missing person’s case 11Alive covered in May of 2020 but until Wednesday, we never knew what happened to the child.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the child was chatting with a man online.

“For whatever reason, she may not have been getting the attention she wanted at home, at school or at church or wherever she was going, and this guy did, and he’s the dream come true,” Smith explained.

However, Smith said the guy was her worst nightmare.

He’s since been identified as James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth. Smith said after chatting with Reynolds online, he convinced the 12-year-old girl to share her home address.

Smith said one night in May 2020, Reynolds drove nearly 70 miles from his home in Acworth to the child’s home in Bethlehem.

“He lured her out of the home, she climbed out of a window, gets in a car with him and he drugs her,” Smith explained.

In just a matter of seconds, the child was taken from her parents, who were asleep just feet away.

“It was a trap,” Smith said.

Reynolds then drove the child back to his home in Acworth, where the sheriff said he sexually assaulted her. He then put her back in the car, and the two drove north, crossing the state line and ended up in the parking lot of a Walmart in Chattanooga.

“Thank the lord for this employee,” Smith explained.

He said the Walmart employee noticed something wasn’t quite right and called 911. Smith said within minutes, Chattanooga Police showed up and were able to determine this 12-year-old had been kidnapped.

“We don’t know what his intent was. He never really did say, but I mean, we’re lucky that she’s even still with us,” Smith said.

A parent himself, Smith hopes this case will serve as a wake-up call. 

“I urge parents to get involved in your kids' lives, ask them those tough questions, have those tough conversations, be a parent, not a friend,” Smith said. 

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Due to the fact Reynolds took the child across state lines, the Federal Bureau of Investigation got involved, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia, prosecuted Reynolds on a kidnapping charge. On Nov. 1, 2023, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping. On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan announced that Reynolds had been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

"This sentencing represents the determination of our agents and law enforcement partners to catch dangerous predators," said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey. 

“Child sexual predators are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable minors,” Buchanan said, adding, “We strongly encourage parents to stay vigilant in monitoring their children’s Internet activity, including their use of apps on electronic devices.” 

FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke said, “No prison sentence can repair the damage James Anthony Reynolds has done. We hope this sentencing is of great comfort to the victim and her family.” 

Reynolds continues to face additional charges related to his case in state court.

The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.