Florida Man Charged with Kidnapping Teen Hidden in Dryer

A man in Florida, Christopher Michael Veit, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a teenage girl and concealing her in a clothes dryer at his home in Key Largo. He is facing charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities responded to reports of a hostage situation after the victim called 911 from a home on Miramar Drive around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday. Investigators found the teenage girl hidden inside the clothes dryer at the residence.

Authorities said Veit restrained the girl and placed her inside the dryer.

The arrest came after Veit reportedly took the girl’s cellphone when she expressed a desire to leave his home. Although the victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries, she was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being released to a family member’s custody.

Investigators are trying to determine how the girl knew Veit. They discovered evidence of an ongoing sexual relationship between him and the victim.

The case prompted the involvement of the Florida Department of Children and Families, and detectives of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are continuing their investigation. Additional charges may be filed. During the investigation, officials also found counterfeit currency sheets, which were reported to the U.S. Secret Service.