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Missing US girl found 18 years on Missing US girl found 18 years on
(about 2 hours later)
A US woman found after being abducted as a girl in 1991 gave birth to two children fathered by her alleged kidnapper - the first when she was 14.A US woman found after being abducted as a girl in 1991 gave birth to two children fathered by her alleged kidnapper - the first when she was 14.
Jaycee Dugard and her daughters, 11 and 15, were kept in a "hidden backyard within a backyard", police say. Jaycee Lee Dugard and her daughters, 11 and 15, were kept in a "hidden backyard within a backyard", police say.
Alleged kidnapper Phillip Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy Garrido, 54, are being held in custody in California.Alleged kidnapper Phillip Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy Garrido, 54, are being held in custody in California.
DNA tests are being done to establish Ms Dugard's identity, but meanwhile she has been reunited with her mother.DNA tests are being done to establish Ms Dugard's identity, but meanwhile she has been reunited with her mother.
"She was in good health, but living in a backyard for the past 18 years does take its toll," El Dorado County Undersheriff Fred Kollar said."She was in good health, but living in a backyard for the past 18 years does take its toll," El Dorado County Undersheriff Fred Kollar said.
Ms Dugard disappeared in 1991, aged 11, apparently taken by two people who bundled her into a car.Ms Dugard disappeared in 1991, aged 11, apparently taken by two people who bundled her into a car.
In pictures: Girl found
Mr Kollar said that since the kidnapping she had lived with the couple, isolated from view at a property in Antioch near San Francisco, 170 miles (273m) from her home in South Lake Tahoe.Mr Kollar said that since the kidnapping she had lived with the couple, isolated from view at a property in Antioch near San Francisco, 170 miles (273m) from her home in South Lake Tahoe.
In pictures: Girl found
"The tents and outbuildings in the backyard were placed in a strategic arrangement to inhibit outside viewing and to isolate the victims from outside contact.""The tents and outbuildings in the backyard were placed in a strategic arrangement to inhibit outside viewing and to isolate the victims from outside contact."
She and the children spent "most of their lives" there, he said, adding that they had never been to school or seen a doctor.She and the children spent "most of their lives" there, he said, adding that they had never been to school or seen a doctor.
Their identities were revealed after Mr Garrido was spotted by police at the University of California Berkeley campus with the two young children. Their identities were revealed after police spotted Mr Garrido as he handed out religious literature at the University of California Berkeley campus with the two young children.
He raised suspicions because as a registered sex offender he was not allowed to be with young children.He raised suspicions because as a registered sex offender he was not allowed to be with young children.
Mr Garrido has a conviction for rape and was paroled in 1999, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
He was called in by his parole officer for questioning, and brought the two children and a young woman he called Allissa with him.He was called in by his parole officer for questioning, and brought the two children and a young woman he called Allissa with him.
During questioning he revealed that Allissa was actually Ms Dugard. She also confirmed her identity to police.During questioning he revealed that Allissa was actually Ms Dugard. She also confirmed her identity to police.
There have been few clues as to Jaycee Lee's whereabouts in 18 years Police explain the woman's discovery
At the Antioch property, there was also a vehicle hidden in the backyard which matched the vehicle originally described at the time of the abduction, Mr Kollar said. In a telephone interview from prison with the KCRA-TV station, Mr Garrido said he had not admitted to abduction and that the birth of the first child 15 years ago had changed his life.
The backyard area had electricity from extension cords and a rudimentary outhouse and shower, "as if you were camping," he said. "I tell you here's the story of what took place at this house and you're going to be absolutely impressed.
Although Mr Garrido was previously visited by a parole officer, there was nothing odd noted about the backyard. "It's a disgusting thing that took place from the end to the beginning. But I turned my life completely around," he said.
The area occupied by Ms Dugard and her children was concealed by shrubs, rubbish bins and a tarpaulin, he said. Some of those who had had contact with Mr Garrido over recent years said he had developed increasingly strong religious beliefs.
"It's a pretty spectacular story just to find someone like that. Someone we assumed was dead," said Bill Clark, a senior prosecutor in El Dorado County. Tim Allen, who did business with Mr Garrido's printing firm, told Associated Press that Mr Garrido gave the impression he was planning to establish a church. "He rambled. It made no sense," Mr Allen said.
Jimmie Lee, a local police spokesman, said Mr Garrido was also being held for investigation of rape by force, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and sexual penetration. 'Given up hope'
Under suspicion Police said they had found a vehicle hidden in the backyard of the Antioch property that matched the vehicle described at the time of the abduction.
As news spread of Ms Dugard's apparent re-appearance, her stepfather Carl Probyn told ABC News in the US that her family was now convinced she was coming back to them. It broke my marriage up. I've gone through hell, I mean I'm a suspect up until yesterday Carl Probyn, stepfather
"I had personally given up hope," he said, saying that he just wanted to find the people responsible. Although Mr Garrido was previously visited by a parole officer, there was nothing odd noticed about the backyard.
Mr Probyn was watching on 10 June 1991, as the young girl was apparently taken away by two unidentified people. The area occupied by Ms Dugard and her children was concealed by shrubs, rubbish bins and a tarpaulin.
The incident occurred as she was walking from her home to a school bus stop in South Lake Tahoe. Ms Dugard's stepfather, Carl Probyn, who witnessed the abduction on 10 June 1991, said he had "given up hope" she would be found alive.
She sounds like she's okay. I hope she's been well treated this entire 18 years Carl ProbynStepfather "It broke my marriage up. I've gone through hell, I mean I'm a suspect up until yesterday," Mr Probyn, 60, told AP.
Her stepfather - who initially came under suspicion in her disappearance and is now estranged from Ms Dugard's mother - has described how a stranger drove up and grabbed Ms Dugard, bundling her into a grey car even as she tried to resist by kicking and screaming. Mr Probyn saw the young girl being taken away by two people as she walked from her home to a school bus stop in South Lake Tahoe.
He said a stranger drove up and grabbed Ms Dugard, bundling her into a grey car even as she tried to resist by kicking and screaming.
Mr Probyn believed a man and woman were in the vehicle. Despite several false reports of sightings in the intervening years, Ms Dugard was never seen again.Mr Probyn believed a man and woman were in the vehicle. Despite several false reports of sightings in the intervening years, Ms Dugard was never seen again.
"She sounds like she's okay," he said. "She sounds like she's okay," Mr Probyn said. "I hope she's been well-treated this entire 18 years.
"She had a conversation with my wife and she remembers things. I hope she's been well treated this entire 18 years."
"To have this happen where we get her back alive, and where she remembers things from the past, and to have people in custody is a triple win," he told the Sacramento Bee newspaper.