Surveillance Video, Community Cooperation and License-Plate Readers Helped Lead Investigators to Arkansas
By Tracy Sanders, Publisher
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Editor’s note: The Woodruff Times is not identifying the child in this follow-up because court documents now contain allegations that she was the victim of a sexual offense.
WOODRUFF, S.C. — A search that began along Arnold Road in Woodruff ended approximately 24 hours later and hundreds of miles away in Arkansas, where a missing 12-year-old girl was found safe.
The investigation has since resulted in kidnapping, rape, internet-stalking and other felony charges against an Arkansas couple who authorities allege communicated with the child online before she disappeared.
Brandon Lee Britten, 31, and Sierra Dawn Britten are being held in the Independence County Detention Center in Arkansas. Bond was set at $1 million for each defendant.
The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Search Begins
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the missing child shortly after 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. She had last been seen walking on Arnold Road in the direction of Highway 101.
Deputies and investigators immediately began searching the area. Although the initial search did not locate her, investigators obtained surveillance video showing the child walking along Highway 101.
Authorities continued reviewing video, interviewing witnesses and developing leads throughout the night.
The case took a critical turn Wednesday morning when additional surveillance footage showed the child getting into a dark-colored Chevrolet Malibu shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Investigators then canvassed businesses throughout the area and reviewed additional recordings in an effort to identify the vehicle and obtain its license plate number.
At approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, investigators used information from Flock license-plate readers to locate a vehicle matching the Malibu seen in the surveillance footage.
The vehicle’s registered owner was connected to information previously supplied by the child’s family, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
That information led investigators to Independence County, Arkansas.
Recovery in Arkansas
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Independence County Sheriff’s Office and requested that deputies conduct a welfare check at the residence associated with the vehicle.
Independence County investigators went to the home and encountered Brandon and Sierra Britten. Both were taken into custody.
The child was located safely and taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County, where she received appropriate services and assistance.
She was later placed at the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch until her parents arrived from South Carolina and was reunited with her family the following morning.
Online Contact Alleged
During a Sept. 9 press conference, Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne said investigators believed the child had been groomed online.
Arkansas court filings allege that Brandon and Sierra Britten communicated with the child online for approximately one month before her disappearance.
Authorities allege the couple drove from Arkansas to South Carolina, picked up the child and took her back to their Independence County residence.
Because the allegations involve a minor, The Woodruff Times is not publishing the personal details contained in the Arkansas court filings.
Charges Filed in Two States
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant charging Brandon Britten with kidnapping. Authorities previously said additional charges remained possible as the investigation continued.
In Arkansas, Brandon Britten has been charged with:
- Traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor
- Internet stalking of a child
- Rape
Sierra Britten has been charged with:
- Accomplice to traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor
- Accomplice to internet stalking of a child
- Accomplice to rape
The Independence County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and that investigators are working with federal law-enforcement partners.
Community Assistance Proves Critical
Throughout the search, Woodruff-area residents and businesses shared information and helped investigators reconstruct the child’s movements.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office specifically thanked the businesses and community members who provided surveillance recordings, saying their cooperation was instrumental in identifying and locating the vehicle involved.
The video showing the child entering the Chevrolet Malibu gave investigators a vehicle to search for. License-plate reader information then helped authorities trace that vehicle to Arkansas.
What began as a missing-child report in Woodruff quickly became a coordinated investigation involving local businesses, law-enforcement agencies in two states and federal partners.
For nearly a day, the child’s disappearance brought fear and uncertainty to her family and the Woodruff community. Her safe recovery brought relief, while the charges that followed underscored the dangers authorities say children can face through online communications.
The criminal cases against Brandon and Sierra Britten are now proceeding in Arkansas. Brandon Britten also faces the kidnapping charge filed in Spartanburg County.
