WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — Police have charged a Rhode Island man with lying to police who were searching for a 10-year-old runaway.
Aaron Reed, 31, of Central Falls, was held without bail Friday after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer in the execution of duty. He was referred to the public defender’s office.
The girl went missing Tuesday and was found unharmed Wednesday in Cranston. Police say she has a history of running away.
During their investigation, Cranston police identified Reed as a person of interest, Cranston chief Col. Michael Winquist said in a statement.
When officers talked to him, Reed “made false statements to Cranston police that hampered the search and the location of the missing juvenile,” police said.
The girl was hiding under the bed when police looked for her in Reed’s house, according to court statements, WJAR-TV reported.
Reed is being held as a probation violator for a simple assault charge.
Reed faces two more charges from Central Falls police: failure to register as a sex offender and knowingly residing within 300 feet of a school.
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