Silver Spring, Maryland — A 13-year-old girl from Kentucky who vanished more than two months ago has been found alive in Silver Spring, and a 37-year-old man is now facing kidnapping charges, authorities confirmed.
The teen, Wynter Wagoner, was located Friday evening after police received a tip suggesting she might be inside a Montgomery County home. She had been missing since mid-October.
How the Missing Teen Was Located
According to Montgomery County Police, investigators were alerted on Friday, Dec. 26, when another law-enforcement agency contacted their communications center requesting a welfare check.
“They called our communications center and asked us to check the welfare of this individual,” police spokesperson Darren Francke said.
Officers, working alongside the U.S. Marshals, responded to a residence in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive shortly before 6 p.m.
Inside the home, authorities found Wagoner along with Christian Alexander Delgado, 37, police said.
Arrest Made Without Incident
Delgado was taken into custody without incident at the scene. While Montgomery County police carried out the arrest, the charges originate from Kentucky.
Officials said Rockcastle County Police had already issued a warrant accusing Delgado of kidnapping in connection with Wagoner’s disappearance.
Delgado remains in custody and is expected to be extradited to Kentucky to face trial.
Timeline of the Disappearance
- Oct. 14: Wynter Wagoner was last seen in Orlando, Kentucky
- October–December: Family members distributed posters and flyers while law enforcement searched across state lines
- Dec. 26: Tip leads police to a Silver Spring residence, where Wagoner is found alive
The case drew growing concern in Kentucky as weeks passed with no confirmed sightings.
Condition of the Teen
After being located, Wagoner was transported to a hospital for evaluation, police said. Authorities confirmed she was found safe, but did not release details about her medical or emotional condition.
Officials said plans are underway to reunite her with her family.
Father Speaks Out After Daughter Is Found
Wagoner’s father released a brief statement following the discovery, expressing relief and gratitude.
“Wynter has been found. She is safe and that’s about all the information we can give at this time,” he said.
“It’s very, very new — it just happened so the details are not clear at the moment. I don’t want to give any misinformation. I also want to say thank you for all the efforts in trying to find my daughter and all the prayers for her safety.”
Court Appearance and Judge’s Decision
During a court appearance on Monday, Delgado told a judge that he believed he was “a model citizen” and claimed the situation was “a huge misunderstanding.”
He requested release on house arrest, stating he did not want to be “a burden to taxpayers.” The judge denied the request, citing the seriousness of the charges and the age of the alleged victim.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities in Kentucky and Maryland continue to coordinate as the case moves forward. Investigators have not released information about how Wagoner traveled from Kentucky to Maryland or how long she was inside the Silver Spring home.
More details are expected once Delgado is transferred back to Kentucky jurisdiction.
Conclusion
After weeks of uncertainty, a missing Kentucky teen has been found alive hundreds of miles from home, bringing relief to her family and community. As legal proceedings continue, investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
If you have followed this case or similar missing-person stories in your community, share your experiences in the comments below.
