A Florida woman is in jail and facing several charges after she allegedly kidnapped a family and held them at gunpoint, according to law enforcement.
Helen Litchfield, 71, has been charged with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of armed burglary, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Litchfield reportedly “lured” a father and his two young daughters — both under the age of 13 — to her home by telling them they could fish in her pond. The family was fishing off a bridge on August 4 when they met Litchfield, WCTV reports.
Investigators said that once the family arrived at her home, Litchfield pulled a gun and held them against their will. She allegedly said she did not believe the man was the girls’ real father.
The man and the girls insisted they were related, but Litchfield allegedly did not believe them. She reportedly searched the family members while holding them at gunpoint and also searched their car while it was on her property.
The family’s escape came when Litchfield’s roommate led them to a fence while she was distracted.
Once they reached the fence, the family ran away and called the police. It is unclear whether they returned for their car or left it at the property until officers arrived.
Deputies arrested Litchfield on Friday, and she was booked into the Wakulla County Jail.
