Texas father tracks kidnapped daughter, 15, using her phone's GPS after knifepoint abduction on Christmas Day
Giovanni Rosales Espinoza, 23, of Porter, abducted the teenager at knife point while she was out walking her dog on Christmas Day, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
By ALEXA CIMINO, US REPORTER and WILL POTTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
Published: 21:34 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 02:17 GMT, 28 December 2025
A Texas father rescued his 15-year-old daughter by tracking her location on her phone after she was kidnapped from the street at knifepoint, police said.
The teenager was allegedly abducted by Giovanni Rosales Espinoza, 23, of Porter, while she was out walking her dog on Christmas Day, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
When she failed to return at her usual time, her parents began to panic, and cops were dispatched around 4.50pm.
Her father was able to access her location through her phone's parental controls and tracked her to a secluded wooded area in neighboring Harris County, nearly two miles away.
Deputies said the dad found his daughter and her dog inside a maroon pickup truck with Espinoza, who was partially nude.
He helped her escape from the vehicle and contacted law enforcement.
Investigators said the suspect had threatened the girl with a knife and abducted her from the street.
Witnesses provided deputies with a description of the vehicle, which was later located by law enforcement.
Giovanni Rosales Espinoza, 23, was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child after a 15-year-old girl was rescued in Porter, Texas, authorities said
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said deputies worked swiftly to rescue the teen and arrest the suspect on Christmas Day
Detectives with the sheriff's office Major Crimes Unit responded and continued the investigation. Espinoza was taken into custody without incident.
He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child and remains held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.
'Christmas is a day meant for joy, but this man chose to shatter that joy by targeting a child,' Wesley Doolittle said.
'I am incredibly proud of our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator was swiftly apprehended and is now off our streets.'
The sheriff added that the office remains vigilant 'every hour of every day' to keep families safe.
The dad tracked his daughter to a secluded wooded area in neighboring Harris County, nearly two miles away (pictured)
Authorities said the investigation remains active and that no further information can be released at this time.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Sheriff's Office, which has no further comment.