Missing Daviess teen found in Wisconsin; accused abductor held

By James Mayse - Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

A Daviess County teenager who was abducted from her home Saturday morning has been found in Wisconsin, and her abductor is now facing kidnapping charges.

Haley Dawn Willett, 13, was taken from her home by Archie Whalen, 43, a convicted sex offender. According to police, Whalen had traveled from Hancock, Maine, to abduct Haley.

Whalen faces a Kentucky charge of kidnapping, a class B felony. Additional charges — including federal charges for transporting Haley over state lines — are being considered.

Capt. Bill Thompson, chief of detectives for the Daviess County Sheriff's Department, said Whalen and Haley's family were acquainted in Maine.

"The family had just moved back here from Maine this week," Thompson said. "They were acquainted when they lived in Maine."

Haley's family reported her missing at 9:43 a.m. Saturday, and an Amber Alert was issued. Thompson said an employee at McDonald's restaurant in Hardinsburg saw the alert and remembered seeing people who matched the description of Whalen and Haley at the restaurant at 4 a.m. Saturday.

At 4:34 a.m. Sunday, a police officer in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., spotted Whalen's vehicle pulling into a motel parking lot. The officer arrested Whalen without incident, Thompson said.

Haley was taken to a hospital for routine examination, but there were no signs of physical abuse, Thompson said. "She is in a safe home-shelter in Wisconsin," Thompson said.