A Freehold Township man has been charged with the kidnapping, luring and aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old female, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
David Buabeng, 55, was arrested and charged with first degree kidnapping, second degree child luring, two counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault, and first degree endangering the welfare of a child for causing or permitting a child to engage in child pornography, second degree endangering the welfare of a child for manufacturing child pornography, and third degree endangering the welfare of a child.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Freehold Borough and Freehold Township police departments began after a 14-year-old female was reported missing at about 9 p.m. May 14, according to the prosecutor.
The investigation revealed Buabeng allegedly lured the girl into a motor vehicle at a Freehold Borough convenience store shortly after 5 p.m. Buabeng then drove the victim to an apartment in Freehold Township where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and photographed her during the incident.
Buabeng then dropped the girl off near her home on the morning of May 15 and Freehold Borough police were again contacted, prompting the investigation. Buabeng was apprehended on the evening of May 15 at an apartment in Freehold Township where he is employed as a home healthcare aide for an elderly resident.
If convicted of the first degree crime of kidnapping, Buabeng faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in state prison without parole and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to the prosecutor.
Law enforcement authorities said anyone who recognizes Buabeng and has information about this case or any of his activities may contact Detective Kayla Santiago of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 or Detective Rich Schwerthoffer of the Freehold Borough Police Department at 732-462-1234.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers’ confidential telephone tip line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
