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S.C. 'Santa' Charged With Kidnapping Girl
South Carolina Man in Santa Outfit Charged With Kidnapping 8-Year-Old Girl
This booking photo released by the Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts on
Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, shows John Michael Barton. Authorities said that Barton,
a 55-year-old man dressed as Santa Claus, forced an 8-year-old girl to ride in
his motorcycle's sidecar for several minutes on Sunday, Dec. 17, and was charged
with kidnapping. (AP Photo/ Lexington County Sheriff)
US Headlines
By KATRINA A. GOGGINS
COLUMBIA, S.C. Dec 18, 2006 (AP)— A man dressed as Santa Claus lured an
8-year-old girl onto his motorcycle and drove away, and her father chased him
until he pulled over and gave her back, authorities said. The man, John Michael
Barton, 55, was charged with kidnapping, police said. He was being held in jail
Monday night on $100,000 bond.
The girl, of Augusta, Ga., and her family stopped at a convenience store off
Interstate 20 on Sunday night when they noticed Barton, dressed in a Santa Claus
suit, refueling his motorcycle, police said.
Parents told police that Barton asked the children to come over and look at a
stuffed Rudolph he had in his sidecar. Then, parents saw Barton driving away
with their 8-year-old girl, authorities said.
The girl's father followed Barton, reaching speeds up to 80 mph and flashing his
headlights repeatedly, police said. Barton eventually stopped at a parking lot
and the father picked up the girl, who was not injured.
Barton was arrested later Sunday when police found him hiding in a utility room
at a nearby bar, authorities said.
Barton had been portraying Santa Claus for several weeks and had given rides to
other children in the area and had posed for photographs with children by his
motorcycle, Sheriff James Metts said in a release.
Barton did not have an attorney at a bond hearing on Monday, said Lexington
County sheriff's spokesman John Allard. A call to the Lexington County public
defender's office was not immediately returned.
A charge of kidnapping carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
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