On Mother’s Day, Sunday, 05/12/24, a 12-year-old female was last seen by her family in Chico, California and reported missing to the Chico Police Department. Law enforcement in the western states were notified via bulletin. On Thursday 05/16/24, the girl was reported to have been sighted in Klamath Falls in the company of her brother, who was a suspect in her disappearance.
On Monday, 05/20/24, the family informed the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office that they received information from a person, who picked up the two hitchhiking, that they were currently at a location east of Klamath Falls known as Bly Mountain. Detectives spoke with the Chico PD for additional information.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the remote location and located the girl who was taken into custody without incident. She was released to her family.
Taken into custody was Christopher Tilton (age 23). He was lodged at the Klamath County Jail and is pending extradition to California.
Arrestee: Christopher Matthew Tilton (California address)
Local Charge: Fugitive Warrant (Bail $60,000)
California Charges: “Child Stealing” and “Annoy or Molest Victim under 18”
Crimes of this magnitude involving children are of the most serious nature and are handled as urgently as possible. This is the second such case in Klamath County within a week. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the effort of the Chico PD and the perseverance of the girl’s mother in using social media to bring attention to the case.
Please refer to the Chico PD Facebook post for further information: https://www.facebook.com/ChicoPoliceDepartment/
