The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged 26-year-old Daniel Wayne Florea with several felonies in connection with a reported statutory rape case.

Reported to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, Oct. 30 to Deputy Sheriff Daniel Marquess and John Pinto, the grandmother of a 15-year-old girl advised that she had kissed her granddaughter good night on Oct. 29, but the next morning her granddaughter was gone.

Fearing that the child may have been abducted, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and K9 Unit Corporal David Marshall was mobilized, along with Clay County Fire and Rescue units and Clay County Sheriff’s Investigator Lt. Randal Slayton.

As the search was being conducted, information developed that led Lt. Slayton to the whereabouts of the victim and her abductor.

Believing they might be in Overton County, the Overton County Sheriff’s Office was notified. With the assistance of Overton County Sheriff’s Deputies Derek Sidwell, Johnny Cyrus, Jody O’Dell, Tom Roscrants and Kevin Dicks, Lt. Slayton located the victim.

The child was returned to her family with Daniel Florea being taken into custody. He was arrested at a residence on Melson Lane in Overton County, where he was found hiding under the home.

Several arrest warrants were obtained on Florea including statutory rape, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

During this investigation, further information led investigators to believe that other victims may be identified. Shortly after the arrest, another 14-year-old female victim was located and returned to her family.

Overton County Detective Steve Hritz, U.S. Marshal John Mackie and Michael Tharp, along with Cookeville police were searching for John Florea in relation to the 14-year-old female, as it was believed she was with him.

After setting up surveillance at a residence on Feterrolf Lane in Overton County, police observed a vehicle belonging to John Florea pull up to the residence. Police witnessed John Florea and the 14-year-old exiting the woods at the residence. Both were taken into custody.

Charges concerning the second victim are pending.

Daniel Wayne Florea was booked into the Clay County Jail with a $60,000 bond.