GIRL, 11, TO REMAIN IN INDIANA CUSTODY

William A. Beith, a 29 year old former Baptist school principal, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and lewdness and faces federal charges of enticing a minor into sexual acts and transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes.  He allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 11 year old girl who will mark her 12th birthday in state custody while authorities investigate her home life.  The Prosecutor's office is investigating conditions in the family's home and is focusing on the girl's father.  The girl disappeared May 1 in Portage, Indiana.  She was found a week later with Beith when a police officer stopped his sport utility vehicle near the Las Vegas Strip.  Beith took the girl on a cross-country trip through 12 states.  The girl's mother has said that she believes sexual abuse allegations made by the girl against her father were coerced by Beith.  The father has denied the allegations.  Beith remains jailed in Nevada but is expected to be returned to Indiana next week.  Additional charges will be considered by a grand jury in Indiana.

(Crown Point, Indiana)