Grandparent Rescues 12-Year-Old Granddaughter from Kidnapping and Sexual Assault

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Fresno Police Department commends the heroic actions of a grandparent who played a crucial role in rescuing their 12-year-old granddaughter from a horrifying incident of kidnapping and sexual assault.

In a public warning issued on Thursday, Fresno police revealed that a suspect had kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on December 30, 2023.

The suspect has been identified as 51-year-old James Ellis from Oregon and is now facing multiple charges.

According to Dianna Trueba-Vega, spokesperson for the Fresno Police Department, the 12-year-old victim had met Ellis on social media approximately one month prior to the incident. Ellis had expressed his desire to engage in sexual intercourse with her.

On the day of the incident, Ellis picked up the victim from her home in his pickup truck and drove her to a parking lot located off Millbrook and Alluvial, where he sexually assaulted her.

Fortunately, one of the victim’s grandparents was able to track the girl’s whereabouts using her cell phone and confronted Ellis in the parking lot.

“The family member located the vehicle and demanded that Ellis release the victim,” Trueba-Vega explained.

However, instead of complying, Ellis fled the scene with the victim still in his truck.

The ordeal came to an end when Ellis dropped off the victim at a gas station. Undeterred, the family member continued to follow Ellis until the police were able to apprehend him.

“The awareness of the child’s location was crucial in preventing further crimes from being committed,” Trueba-Vega emphasized.

James Ellis has been booked into the Fresno County Jail but has since been released after posting bail.

Investigators have discovered that Ellis frequently travels throughout California from his home in Oregon for his job as a contractor.

In order to protect the public and raise awareness of the potential danger, the police have released Ellis’ mugshot.

Tiffany Apodaca, a member of the non-profit organization Breaking the Chains, provides support to victims of human trafficking on a daily basis.

Apodaca emphasizes that these incidents are not isolated to public places but can occur even during seemingly innocent family outings, such as a night at the movies.

James Ellis is scheduled for his first court appearance on January 18, 2024.