RPD: Group looking for Christmas tree finds partially clothed kidnapping victim

Redding

Redding police say some people searching for a Christmas tree in eastern Shasta County on Monday found a partially clothed kidnapping victim forced to take shelter in a dead tree and drink from puddles to survive. One suspect was arrested while another remains at large, officers said.

Capt. Eric Wallace said the group found the 25-year-old victim east of Eskimo Hill near Hat Creek on Monday. Police said they're not identifying the woman for the time being, though they did not say why.

UPDATE:Police report details ordeal of kidnapping victim found by Christmas tree-hunters

Wallace said the victim, a Redding resident, told investigators that two acquaintances of hers — Johanna Knighten, 33, and Fred Sanderson, 44, both of Redding — kidnapped her from the Mistletoe Lane and Victor Avenue area Sunday afternoon, possibly because they believed she stole drugs from one of them.

The victim told investigators the pair drove her about six miles from Highway 44 in Knighten's van, then Sanderson assaulted her and the duo made her take off all her clothes except for a pair of shorts, Wallace said.

The victim didn't know where she was and had no way of getting help, Wallace said. She faced "extremely cold temperatures," including rain and snow, stayed in a hollowed-out tree and drank from puddles before she was rescued and taken to the hospital Monday.

Meanwhile, Wallace said officers spotted Knighten in the van the victim described and arrested her Tuesday on suspicion of kidnapping, attempted murder and conspiracy, but they're still looking for Sanderson.

He's white, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 250 pounds, with short or shaved blond hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Redding Police Department at 225-4200.

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