LIVE VIDEO: News 19 at 7:00 pm    Watch
 

Saturday Marks 4 Weeks Since Gabbiee Swainson's Disappearance

8:25 PM, Sep 14, 2012   |    comments
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Saturday marks four weeks since Columbia teenager Gabrielle Swainson disappeared from her home.

Deputies say the 15-year-old was taken against her will by 52 year old Freddie Grant back on August 18. Sheriff Leon Lott says his officers have obtained a warrant for Grant's arrest, but have not formally charged him yet in Swainson's disappearance.

Currently, Grant is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center on a federal ammunition charge.

Sheriff Leon Lott says Grant was in a relationship with Swainson's mother and had a key to their home. Lott says Gabbiee's blood was found in Grant's Elgin home and in a nearby junkyard.

Lott has gone on record to calling Grant a monster, something Grant's attorney used in a failed attempt to get a gag order in the case. 

Friday, News19 asked Lott about the effort to silence him.

"I'm worried about finding Gabbiee," Lott said. "Anything I said has been the truth and I can back it with facts. I'm going to say what I've got to say and that's the truth, and whatever I can say that's going to help find Gabbiee then that's what I'm going to do."

Lott say his department has followed up on more than 400 Crimestoppers tips. If you know anything that can help with this case, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.