Formal charges have been filed against Sierra Dawn Britten and Brandon Lee Britten in connection with a child abduction case in Independence County. According to the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, the two face a range of serious felony charges tied to alleged offenses involving a minor.
Court filings state that Sierra Dawn Britten has been charged with one count of accomplice to traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor, a Class B felony; one count of accomplice to internet stalking of a child, another felony; and one count of accomplice to rape, a Class Y felony. Similarly, Brandon Lee Britten faces one count each of traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor, internet stalking of a child, and rape. The charges against him include both Class B and Class Y felonies.
Bond has been set at $1 million for each of the defendants.
The charges follow an incident on September 9, when the Independence County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by authorities in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, about a possible child abduction case. Deputies responded to a location in northern Independence County around 3:15 p.m., where they detained Sierra and Brandon Britten.
The juvenile victim was found unharmed and was immediately placed under the care of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County for a forensic interview and medical evaluation. Later that evening, the child was transferred to the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch until her parents could travel from South Carolina. She was successfully reunited with her family the following morning.
Authorities executed a search warrant at the scene to collect evidence and are continuing to investigate the case with the assistance of federal agencies. Sheriff’s officials have expressed gratitude to the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch staff for their swift cooperation.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.