By SYDNEY KENT
Prosecutors in Wells County have approved additional charges for a man accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old from Zanesville in late December.
Zachary Delozier, 27, South Dakota, in addition to a Level 5 felony for kidnapping, now faces additional charges for child molesting, a Level 1 felony, child molesting, a Level 2 felony, promotion of child sexual human trafficking, a Level 3 felony, and child solicitation, a Level 4 felony. Multiple officials have referred to Delozier as the “leader” of the three arrested.
Delozier could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison as he faces a sentence of up to 104 years if found guilty of the charges.
Delozier pled not guilty to the charges during his initial hearing in the Wells Circuit Court on Tuesday morning. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond and has been appointed a public defender.
Sara Gaudino, 23, and Isaiah Schryvers, 24, were also charged with kidnapping, a Level 5 felony. Less than three weeks after the trio allegedly abducted the child, all suspects have returned to the state. The van reportedly used in the crime was also brought to Indiana to be processed for evidence.
Both Gaudino and Schryvers arrived at the Wells County Jail on Monday evening. Both suspects are scheduled for initial hearings at 8 a.m. today in the Wells Circuit Court, where more charges may be added.
The three suspects were located with the missing child at a traffic stop in Barneveld, Wisconsin, approximately 24 hours after a Silver Alert was issued on New Year’s Eve.
In a statement to The News-Banner Tuesday evening, Sheriff Scott Holliday said the license plate reader cameras from Flock Safety were instrumental to locating the missing child and suspects.
“Unfortunately, as our investigation further unfolds it has warranted additional charges,” Holiday said. “The use of Flock cameras was a key piece to us locating the child and bringing her home safe to her family. They were not our cameras, but this is one reason why I believe they are an important tool and why I am implementing them in our county.”
The News-Banner will continue to follow these cases as they are processed in the Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
