Another girl arrested in abduction case

A sixth girl was added to the list of Carson High School students accused of abducting a 15-year-old girl and assaulting her at Mills Park earlier this month.

The 17-year-old girl's name was not released because she is a juvenile. She was arrested Tuesday at 11 p.m. on a warrant that alleges battery, robbery and rioting in relation to the abduction.

"The girl was a suspect in the case and it took a while to locate her," said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Scott Burau. She was arrested during a traffic stop at Edmonds Drive and Graves Lane. A woman she was reportedly with, 20-year-old Melissa Howell, was arrested for suspicion of obstructing a peace officer.

Five girls, ages 14 to 17, were arrested the night the incident was reported. The victim was treated at Carson-Tahoe Hospital for minor injuries.

The motivation for the alleged abduction was unclear, according to investigators. They believe the girl was told to get into a car at the high school, and then assaulted at Mills Park, where she was driven. Burau said there may be extenuating circumstances like a grudge, or a spoiled boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

Along for the ride, police said, were two children ages 1 and 7. They were being baby-sat.

Burau said the 7-year-old was told to join in and hit the girl.

The charges on the previous arrests are different combinations of robbery, kidnapping, battery, child endangerment and accessory to kidnapping.

Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Sheila Banister said the girls are at different stages in the juvenile justice systems. In that system, the suspects start with an arraignment where they make a plea.