Carnival worker arrested in abduction of little girl; suspect known as sexual predator

HIDALGO - Police have released the name of the man they believe kidnapped a 4-year-old Hidalgo girl on Tuesday night.

Christian Elijalee McMillan, a 23-year-old California carnival worker who was living in Mercedes was arrested late Wednesday night after police found little Lesley Estefania Perez, more than 24 hours after she was taken.

Lesley was taken to Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, where she was checked for signs of injury or abuse.

Authorities would not clarify whether there were signs of sexual assault, but family members confirmed that she had not been abused during her day with McMillan. The only sign of injury appears to be red marks around Lesley's wrists, from when she was tied up during the kidnapping.

McMillan did not know the girl or her family before taking the little girl, Hidalgo police said at a press conference this morning. Police said McMillan likely took Lesley with intentions to sexually assault her.

Police found McMillan and Lesley at a rented farm near Mercedes. They were watching the farm when he came outside without realizing they were there and they arrested him.

McMillan had a history as a sexual predator, police said and had cased the neighborhood for three days before grabbing the little girl, who is now back with her family. Nobody reported the suspicious activity to police.

"We have to keep our eyes open," said John Johnson, who heads the McAllen FBI office.

Lesley's 12-year-old sister Brianda proved to be critical to the kidnapping investigation. She was the one tried to protect Lesley and  wrestled with McMillan before he took the 4-year-old from her grip. The description she gave investigators matched McMillan's profile and the white F-150 was found at the farm, partially painted with primer as if he were trying to disguise the vehicle, authorities said.

"She was an incredibly informative witness for us," Johnson said.