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Silverdale father helps deputies arrest Marine accused in attempted kidnapping of his 12-year-old daughter
A Silverdale father used a photo his daughter snapped during an attempted abduction to track down the suspect, an active-duty Marine, leading to his arrest two days later. The Marine faces attempted kidnapping and assault charges as investigators and NCIS probe his motives.
SILVERDALE, Wash. â A Silverdale father's quick action helped Kitsap County deputies arrest an active-duty Marine accused of trying to kidnap his 12-year-old daughter as she walked home from middle school, authorities said.
The girl was on her way home when a man grabbed her and told her she was coming with him, according to investigators. She punched him, broke free, ran away and managed to take a photo of him before escaping.
"She knows how to defend herself," said Dustin Praxedes, the girl's father.
Praxedes posted the photo on Facebook, asking the community for help identifying the man. Someone eventually sent him an address. Two days after the attempted kidnapping, Praxedes went to the suspect's apartment, called 911 and watched as deputies took the man into custody.
"I'm sick to my stomach," Praxedes said. "I didn't sleep much until I found him."
Court records identify the suspect as Timothy Caldwell, an active-duty Marine. He is charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. In footage Praxedes recorded of the arrest, Caldwell told deputies, "I'd like a lawyer." According to court records, when deputies asked Caldwell if he knew why they were at his home, he said it was because of Praxedes' Facebook post. A loaded shotgun was reportedly found near the door, and Caldwell refused to answer questions without a lawyer present.
"You scared the death out of her," Praxedes told Caldwell in the footage. "My daughter is 12 years old."
Caldwell's bail has been set at $350,000. Deputies have involved the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, in the investigation. The U.S. Marine Corps told reporters it is aware of Lance Corporal Caldwell's arrest, is fully cooperating and said the allegations do not align with its core values.
Praxedes said his daughter is still processing what happened but was physically unharmed. He is now left wondering what Caldwell wanted with his daughter.
"They need to investigate exactly why he was doing what he was doing, his motives," Praxedes said. "If he was just a pedophile, or if he was trying to traffic my daughter."
He hopes any parent would take similar measures in a comparable situation.
"I get a lot of people that are congratulating me, tooting my horn and saying how proud they are," he said. "In all honesty, it's your duty. It is your obligation as a father to track someone down that tries to harm your children."
The case has shaken the Silverdale community and raised questions about child safety and the need for thorough investigation into potential trafficking or predatory motives. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.