A teenage girl, aged 15, who had been reported missing from her Reading, Pennsylvania home a year ago, was recently found nearly 500 miles away in High Point, North Carolina. The girl, whose identity has been kept confidential, was discovered in the home of 32-year-old Joseph A. Rossomando. Rossomando is now facing a series of charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor, as per police records.
The girl was initially reported as a runaway in June of the previous year. The police were able to locate her on Monday following a tip-off that she was in High Point, North Carolina. Rossomando was subsequently arrested after the girl was found in his residence.
During a search of Rossomando’s home, the police reportedly found child pornography. A deeper investigation led to the confiscation of Rossomando’s electronic devices, which were found to contain material related to child sexual abuse.
Rossomando is now facing a multitude of charges. These include seven counts of statutory sex offense with a child under 15, seven counts of statutory rape of a child under 15, and felony charges for trafficking a child victim, sexual servitude of a child victim, sexual exploitation of a minor, statutory rape, and first-degree kidnapping.
Rossomando is currently being held at the Guilford County Jail without bond. The High Point police have confirmed that the girl is safe and is receiving necessary support services.
The shocking allegations have left the local community in disbelief, especially considering that several police officers reside in the area. One neighbor expressed their shock, stating, “It’s crazy to find out that our neighbor is doing that type of stuff.” Another local resident added, “We actually have cops that live in the neighborhood, quite a few actually that I could think of. But definitely not a norm to see cops coming to houses here.”
The High Point Police Department has been contacted for additional information regarding the case.