11-year-old girl found in Manning pharmacy

Dad faces abduction charge

By JOE PERRY
Item Senior Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

MANNING -- An 11-year-old diabetic girl allegedly abducted by her father from a Virginia hospital on Sunday was found at a pharmacy Wednesday afternoon in good condition, authorities said, adding that her father is in custody and facing federal charges.

Alexis Cartwright was last seen at Cumberland Children's Hospital in New Kent County, Va., according to the State Law Enforcement Division, and was thought to be in need of immediate medical attention because of her diabetic condition. A news release from SLED issued at noon Wednesday indicated that her father, Lemuel Cartwright, 55, may have taken the girl and was traveling to Bath, N.C., in a 1993 Dodge Ram pickup truck with a North Carolina license plate.

According to the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, the girl is a ward of the state of North Carolina and is from Bath.

Manning Police Chief Blair Shaffer said late Wednesday afternoon that "two different things happened real quick" to bring about a positive outcome to the situation. An anonymous citizen recognized Lemuel Cartwright's photo from a Web site and contacted his department, and officers were immediately dispatched to the CVS/pharmacy at 471 W. Boyce St.

Just as officers were en route, Shaffer said, the FBI contacted him after Cartwright's debit card was used at the pharmacy.

"It was just real quick. We were able to get him and didn't have any problems placing him under arrest," he said.

According to SLED, Cartwright stands 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 200 pounds. Shaffer said late Wednesday afternoon that Cartwright is being held at Clarendon County Detention Center, but the FBI was waiting on authorization to transport him to Charleston to face federal charges in court today.

A news release from New Kent County Sheriff F.W. Howard Jr. issued at 5 p.m. Wednesday indicated that Cartwright is facing charges of abduction and child neglect.

Shaffer confirmed that Alexis Cartwright was being treated at Clarendon Memorial Hospital and was in good condition when police arrived at the pharmacy. He said the North Carolina Department of Social Services was waiting to take custody of her and transport her to North Carolina.

"We had a good resolution and assistance from citizens," Shaffer said. "We don't know who the call came from, but we appreciate it."