Abducted teen found
By Gabby Hudson

James Fred Hurst

A Cherokee County teen was abducted from Murphy High School at around noon on Thursday, May 24.

Erica Nikole McConnell,16, attends Murphy High School and resides with a foster care family in Cherokee County. She left with suspect James Fred Hurst, 33 of Franklin, NC.

According to Cherokee County Sheriffs investigator, Tom Fry, McConnell left Murphy High School with Hurst during her lunch hour.

Fry said it is believed that McConnell had an ongoing relationship with Hurst before being placed in foster care in Cherokee County andthe relationship continued until the abduction.

Fry said that it was his understanding that the foster family reported that McConnell had not returned home after school.

A warrant for Hurst's arrest was issued by the Sheriff's office that afternoon.

Sheriff's officers in Macon County were notified and on Friday, May 25, Macon County Sheriff's officers approached Hurst and persuaded him to tell officers the location of McConnell.

Hurst was then taken into custody and charged with abduction of children and returned to Cherokee County.

According to Fry, McConnell was found and taken to a hospital to be examined and has been returned to her foster care family.

Hurst's first court appearance has been set for June 6, 2007.