Kidnapping trial for sex offender Douglas Edwards begins Wednesday

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The trial for the registered sex offender charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl begins tomorrow in New Hanover County.

Deputies say on September 14, 2016, Douglas Edwards grabbed the child from the driveway of her home near Monkey Junction, put her on his moped, then drove off with her.

That led to a search involving the FBI and local agencies.

The next morning, the girl was found alive and chained to a tree in a wooded area off of River Road.

A few months after deputies arrested Edwards, he allegedly wrote the victim stating he was sorry and asking for “no more policia” while requesting the girl not testify.

The victim’s family turned the letter in to the sheriff’s office. Edwards is also charged with intimidating a witness.

Prior to this case, Edwards spent 16 years in prison for sex offenses involving a child who was six-year-old at the time. According to reports, the victim in that case will be allowed to testify during this trial.

The trial is set to begin at 9:30. The 12 jurors and 3 alternates were selected in Sampson County and will be brought to New Hanover County for the trial.