Update: Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber is calling reports from California law enforcement about the arrest of Council Bluffs man Frank French as "irresponsible and false."
Mr. Wilber says that statements from a California Sheriff's department saying a 14-year-old girl was locked in room for several years are false.
Frank is facing several charges related to child abuse and locking the girl in her room for a period of four days. Mr. WIlber says the girl continued to attend school at this time.
Mr. Wilber goes on to say, "while the conduct alleged is criminal and sad, it is not sensational."
Original Story: A Council Bluffs man was arrested in California Friday under suspicion of holding a 14-year-old prisoner in a home for several years.
72-year-old Frank French was arrested in in Sierra Way, California after fleeing Council Bluffs wanted for false imprisonment, four counts of child endangerment with bodily injury, and two counts of child endangerment.
He had been on the run for several months.
He allegedly held a 14-year-old victim in a locked room for several years and forced her to live in "deplorable and inhumane conditions."
Following an investigation by the US Marshal's Southern District of Iowa Office and the Fugitive Task Force, French was located and arrested without incident in California.
Statement from San Bernardino Co. Sheriff's Deparment:
"On May 19, 2017, Specialized Enforcement Division personnel assigned to the United States Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested Frank French. French is a fugitive wanted out of Council Bluffs, Iowa for false imprisonment, four counts of child endangerment with bodily injury, and two counts of child endangerment. French allegedly held a 14-year-old victim in a locked room for several years and forced her to live in deplorable and inhumane conditions. Upon learning of the warrants for his arrest, French fled the Council Bluffs area and evaded authorities for several months. After an extensive investigation by the US Marshal's Southern District of Iowa Office and the Fugitive Task Force, French was located and arrested without incident."
