Executive Summary
- Christian Delgado pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges; bond remains set at $1 million.
- A joint task force recovered 13-year-old Wynter Wagoner safely in Maryland after a 70-day search.
- The suspect was apprehended without incident after the victim contacted family members to reveal her location.
- Federal authorities, including the FBI, are leading the ongoing investigation with additional charges pending.
MT. VERNON, Ky. — Christian Delgado, 37, entered a plea of not guilty to kidnapping charges in Rockcastle County court on Monday, concluding a week that saw his arrest in Maryland and the safe recovery of 13-year-old Wynter Wagoner following a 70-day search.
During the arraignment, legal counsel for Delgado requested a reduction of his $1 million bond. The presiding judge denied the motion, citing the risk of flight and the potential for federal charges. According to court filings, Delgado is accused of abducting the teenager and transporting her through Florida before eventually arriving in Maryland.
The successful recovery was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Rockcastle County Sheriff Shannon Franklin praised the collaboration, noting that diverse agencies united to ensure the child’s safety. The investigation, which began the day Wagoner was reported missing, extended across state lines as authorities tracked leads through Ohio and West Virginia.
Investigators reported that the pivotal break in the case occurred the day after Christmas. According to U.S. Marshal Collier Phillips, the victim contacted her aunt and father by phone, disclosing that she was in Maryland. Kentucky authorities immediately relayed the intelligence to Maryland law enforcement. Within an hour, a task force comprised of U.S. Marshals and local officers located and arrested Delgado without incident.
Federal & State Legal Outlook
With the suspect in custody, the focus of the case now shifts to the concurrent state and federal investigations. The FBI and U.S. Marshals have assumed the lead on the federal aspects of the inquiry, with officials indicating that further charges are pending. This development suggests the possibility of federal kidnapping indictments, which can carry severe mandatory sentences. As the judicial process continues, it is important to note that Christian Delgado remains presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
