Father arrested in connection to missing Hilton Head boy found in Texas

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office in Texas released new details in the case of a 12-year-old boy reported missing from Hilton Head Island.

Dean Caruselle, the non-custodial father of Dominic Caruselle, was arrested Sept. 8 after the child was found safe in Texas, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office said.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said deputies used license plate reader technology to help safely find the abducted child.

What happened

Dominic Caruselle was first reported missing on Sept. 7 by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Missing 12-year-old visiting Hilton Head found safe in Texas

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office received a request that day from Beaufort County about the child. Authorities believed Caruselle may have been trying to flee to Mexico with the child.

Deputies searched the county’s license plate reader network for the vehicle Caruselle was believed to be traveling in. After searching the area where the vehicle was last reported, deputies located it at a hotel near the interstate. The child was safely recovered, and Dean Caruselle was arrested.

Sheriff credits technology

Hawthorne said the case shows the value of license plate reader technology.

“There are a lot of untruths circulating about license plate reader technology - not facts but falsehoods,” Hawthorne said. “It is a lawful and effective tool and this is what it looks like when that technology is put to work for the right reasons. Here’s the truth: they save lives, catch criminals, and keep the public safe. Bottom line. In just 16 minutes, our deputies were able to turn information from an agency 1,000 miles away into the safe recovery of an abducted child. This case is a perfect example of why these tools matter.”

WTOC reached out to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office for more information on the arrest. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said it is not releasing any additional information at this time due to it still being an active and ongoing investigation.

This is a developing story. Stick with WTOC as we learn more information.