UPDATE: Sex offender faces more charges in kidnapping of New Hanover County girl

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A sex offender is charged with kidnapping a girl last night in New Hanover County.

The six-year-old girl was found alone this morning in a heavily wooded area off River Road about two miles from her home.

Earlier in the day, investigators arrested Douglas Nelson Edwards, 46, of 302 Patalanda Drive in Wilmington. As well as the kidnapping charge, he’s also charged with two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child.  Edwards is listed on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. According to the registry, Edwards was required to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years after he was convicted in 1996 for first degree sex offense and indecent liberties with a minor and served nearly 16 years in prison. According to the registry, the crimes involved a six-year-old. The registry says there have been no reported violations against him.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Edwards is on parole after being released from prison April 30 after being convicted last fall for selling drugs in New Hanover County.

During a news conference this morning, District Attorney Ben David said more information about Edwards and what led investigators to him would come out during Edwards’s first court appearance. That is scheduled for Friday morning.

Editor’s note: Previous versions of this story included the name of the girl involved, who was the subject of an Amber Alert. Due to the sex crime charges against her alleged abductor, WWAY has decided to remove her name and picture from our stories.