Staff reports 3:34 p.m.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:42 pm
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OLD TOWN, Maine - A Missing Old Town girl has been found in New Hampshire and her stepfather is in custody after a regionwide dragnet was imposed Tuesday.
Maine DOT and turnpike message boards began alerting the public Tuesday afternoon about the missing Old Town teenager who was with her stepfather and possibly in danger, police said.
A Maine State Police spokesman said in a release on Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. that the girl had been found in Hampton and that her stepfather was in custody.
The drama began playing out around 3 p.m. on Monday when Old Town Police received information from the mother of Natalee Cote, 15, that she had been picked up by her stepfather Christopher Julian from school.
The mother then found several items missing in the home including a debit card and learned he withdrew money from an ATM and made a purchase at a store in Bangor.
Cote is said to have left willingly with her stepfather at the time, but officials did begin an effort to find Cote, Julian and the vehicle.
Then early Tuesday further information revealed Cote could be in danger.
Given the new information police put out a temporary warrant for the arrest of Julian, 55, for alleged criminal restraint.
It was not immediately clear if Julian would be held without bail or when his initial arraignment on any possible charges might be.