The man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old from Hamilton has officially been charged in Allegan County.
Joseph Arpin, 34, was arrested with the teen in Missouri Tuesday, October, 22, after authorities say he left West Michigan with her early in the morning.
He was brought back to Michigan by Allegan County detectives Wednesday, October, 30.
Arpin answered questions before the magistrate as he heard the kidnapping charge against him in court Thursday, October, 31.
Rachel Baker’s parents say Arpin secretly befriended Rachel online, then convinced her that he could help her with her problems.
Her family says he drove to West Michigan and had been sleeping in his car near her home, secretly meeting with her and looking for employment in West Michigan at a local Wal-Mart.
When her parents found out about the relationship from siblings, they said that they told the man to leave their daughter alone and contacted authorities.
On October, 22, authorities say Arpin picked the teen up and left town early in the morning.
Her parents say she popped a screen out of her window and crawled out in order to go to meet him.
The magistrate gave Arpin a $100,000 bond.
The teen was reunited with her parents late last week.
Her family says she is getting counseling and has returned to school.
