© Indiana State Police/ APIn this undated police artist sketch provided by the Indiana State Police is the new "face" of the Delphi Murder suspect Monday, April, 22, 2019. Authorities have released video of a man suspected of killing two Indiana teenagers two years ago and urged the public to scrutinize the footage, which shows the man walking on an abandoned railroad bridge the girls visited while out hiking the day they were killed. The State Police also released a new sketch of the suspect, which Superintendent Doug Carter says was produced thanks to "new information" collected during the investigation into the killings of Liberty German and Abigail Williams. (Indiana State Police via AP)
A man accused of luring and locking a young girl in his basement could be connected to the murders of a pair of teenagers, who were found slain alongside a hiking trail in Indiana back 2017.
James Chadwell II was taken into custody after authorities discovered a child trapped inside his home about an hour after she was reported missing on April 19, the Journal & Courier reported. According to a probable cause affidavit released on Tuesday, the 42-year-old suspect promised his young victim that she could pet his dog, but instead beat, strangled and sexually assaulted once she was inside his residence.
The terrifying incident unfolded in the city of Lafayette, just 20 miles away from where the bodies of eighth-graders Abby Williams and Libby German were discovered near the Monon High Bridge Trail, which is part of the Delphi Historic Trails in Delphi. Williams older sister dropped them off around 1:35 p.m. on February 13, 2017.
Less than an hour later, Libby posted a photo of Abby walking along bridge. It would be last time anyone would hear from them
Despite thousands of tips and several leads over the years, no arrests have been made. Authorities have also released a blurry video from Libby's phone of a man walking along the bridge, near where the teens were found, as well as audio of the potential killer - but to no avail.
It's still not clear how 13-year-old Abigail and her 14-year-old friend were killed.
Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby told ABC News on Wednesday there are "several factors" leading them to consider Chadwell a possible suspect in the case, but did not provide additional details.
When they first arrived at his home, Leazenby denied to authorities anyone was inside, telling them a girl stopped by, but had since left. Still, officers requested to search the residence and ultimately found the victim "visibly distraught and crying, with her clothing on the floor beside her," according to documents obtained by the news station.
She been trapped in the basement, which was secured with a chain lock at the time.
The girl suffered bite marks, strangulation marks on her neck, black eyes and bruising on her head, arms and legs, according to the document.
Leazenby also confirmed to local outlet WRTV that they are investigating any potential ties Leazenby may have to the Delphi murders.
"The information has obviously been shared with us and our investigators are looking into him," he said.
Chadwell faces charges including attempted murder, child molestation, kidnapping and strangulation, according to records.
A not guilty plea was entered on Chadwell's behalf. His next hearing was slated for June 10.