Elgin, SC (WLTX) -- Richland County Sheriff's Deputies spent much of the day searching the home of 52-year-old Freddie Grant, the man charged with kidnapping 15-year-old Gabbiee Swainson.
Just beyond the crime tape next door to his home sat Grant's sister Cynthia, who called the charges against her brother a misunderstanding.
"He's not a violent person, he keeps to himself, he minds his own business he works hard, to try to make a living and he'll try to do anything he can for a person," said Cynthia Grant. She says her brother has daughters and grandchildren of his own and wouldn't do that to someone eles's child.
Grant's sister also responded to questions about her brother's criminal history. Sheriff Lott said Grant had pervious drug, assualt, and domestic violence charges. Ms. Grant said her brother's record with the law happened a long time ago.
"That was his past and that's been many years ago, It's not like it was a year or two ago, that's been live over ten, fifteen years ago right now when all that happened so it not like something that recently happened," she said.
Grant says her brother helped raise Gabbiee, and was involved with her mother.
"I think she ran away because my brother didn't have anything to do with her being missing," said Cynthia Grant.
Everyone does not agree with that assessment. Donna Hudson says her aunt Ollie was married to Grant for several years. She's has no doubt that Freddie Grant had something to do with Gabbiee's disappearance.
"When I first saw Gabbiee missing, I didn't even know he was dealing with the mother in any way when I first seen her, and I just said you don't think Fred got that one either do you? And low and behold yes it was him."
Hudson lives a few houses down from Grant's Kelly Street home in Elgin. She sat and watched as law enforcement swept through the neighborhood. She said Grant was a charmer, but that nice layer didn't run deep. She worries he's harmed other children.
"He's a monster and I always though he was, I always thought it was something strange about him," said Hudson.
Another neighbor said he did not know much about Grant, but could not believe the search and investigation had landed in their neighborhood.
Deputies tracked around with dogs and throughout various locations in Elgin, still searching for anything that could bring Gabbiee home, and while Grant's family and former in-law don't agree on his involvement they both hope Gabbiee comes home safely.
"God knows I pray that baby's okay," said Hudson.
"I really hope that wherever she's at she comes home. I hope that nothing happens to her," said Cynthia Grant.