Man charged with abducting Baltimore County middle school student

A man is facing charges after Baltimore County police said he abducted a middle school student on Thursday, April 30. 

Oscar Bladimir Argueta Argueta, 34, was charged with kidnapping and assault after the alleged incident in the Vintage Court and Cranbrook Road area of Cockeysville, officials said. 

A judge denied Argueta bail Friday afternoon.

Police were called to Cockeysville Middle School around 7:50 a.m. after a student reported that she had been abducted. 

The student told officers that she was walking to school when a man approached, identifying himself as a family friend who had recognized her from church. He persuaded her to get into his gray Toyota Camry, telling her that her family sent him, according to police. 

Argeuta then drove the student to multiple locations before dropping her off at the school where she reported the incident, police said. 

The victim's mother, later interviewed by police, said no one was supposed to pick up her daughter.

After a ride around the community that included stops at County Home Park and a cemetery, the victim demanded Argueta take her to school, and he eventually complied. 

Police said Argueta reclined his seat and "touched her leg and stomach area… The victim believed the suspect was trying to touch her breast," charging documents stated. "The suspect later climbed into the back seat with the victim… asked her in Spanish if she had a boyfriend or if she had had her first kiss. The suspect then asked if he could kiss her."

The 12-year-old told police that was when she began cursing and demanding he drive her to school. 

He complied and "apologized and asked her not to tell anyone what happened." 

She said he later "kissed her hand" before letting her out near the school's bus loop. 

Maria Ortiz told WJZ her brother attends the same school. 

"That scared me. Now I'm worried for my brother because he walks home by himself," Ortiz said. "It really worries me."

She said this is a warning to students.

"Always look around. If someone walks by and tries talking to you, just keep walking. Just keep walking," Ortiz said.

Conswella Johnson considers herself the "community mom" and was stunned to hear about an abduction just outside of her apartment.

"I'm glad they caught him," Johnson told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. "I have a lot of kids here running around that I try to keep an eye on for the neighbors."

Suspect's defense, immigration issues

No one answered the door at Argueta's apartment, which is near where the alleged abduction took place. 

Police said Argueta, through a translator, told them he was a rideshare driver. They said he initially denied picking up the girl but later admitted doing so. 

He claimed he did not touch her inappropriately. 

Arugueta is represented by the public defender, who insisted, "He does have defenses."

In court on Friday, pre-trial services told Judge Darryl Fletcher that Argueta has a pending immigration detainer. 

WJZ reached out to federal immigration authorities about his status, but they have yet to respond.

Argueta did not make any comments while appearing remotely for his bail review in an orange jail jumpsuit.

If convicted, Argueta faces a maximum of 40 years behind bars for kidnapping a minor and second-degree assault. 

Unrelated kidnapping incidents in Maryland

There have been other, unrelated kidnapping incidents in Maryland recently. 

A man in Anne Arundel County was charged with similar offenses in February after police said he tried to kidnap a woman in Glen Burnie. 

Police said 44-year-old Damien Ernest Eldridge tried to grab a woman by her arms and force her into a parked car. The woman was able to break free and flee the area on foot. Eldrige was arrested nearby after chasing the woman and stealing her phone, police said. 

Earlier in February, a similar case played out in Glen Burnie, leading to the arrest of 34-year-old Allen Michael McFadden of Baltimore. 

He was charged with attempted rape, assault, and attempted kidnapping after police said he tried to pull a woman from her car into his as she was throwing away trash at a dumpster. The woman got away, but police said McFadden followed her in his car. He ran when police tried to pull him over, and was arrested after he was found hiding behind a dumpster, police said.