Missing Mountain Home girl found, suspect arrested

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(Isaac James Melder)

A Mountain Home girl reported missing over one month ago has been found and a suspect in the case has been arrested. Mountain Home Police Chief Eddie Griffin says law enforcement officers located 14-year-old Sara Gilpin about 8 Wednesday night in rural Marion County.

Griffin says 40-year-old Isaac James Melder of rural Yellville, who was considered the prime suspect in the girl’s disappearance, has been arrested. The Baxter County Detention Center log shows Melder is being held on charges of interference with custody and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The log shows other charges are pending.

Gilpin was reported missing May 12. At that time, authorities said it was possible the girl was with Melder. Chief Griffin told KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News a few days after the girl went missing, they believed she was in Marion County.

Griffin says more details about the case will be released later.

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