Subject in Custody After Alleged Abduction of Effingham Girl

An Effingham girl is safe after the arrest of an Altamont man charged with her abduction.

An Amber Alert had been issued Saturday after the disappearance of 13-year-old Rebecca Neu. The suspect, 60-year-old Steven Larson of Altamont, is in custody.

Rebecca was reported missing Saturday by her parents. She had last been seen Saturday morning when she was dropped off by her parents with Larson, who is her karate instructor. Larson's vehicle was found at the Amtrak station in Effingham later Saturday morning. Information developed during the investigation indicated Neu to be in danger with Larson. An Amber Alert was issued. On Sunday at approximately 3am, Sikeston, Missouri police, acting on information provided by Illinois investigators, located Neu and Larson at a hotel in Sikeston. Neu was transported to a local hospital. Larson was taken into custody without incident.

Based on a presentation shortly before 3am Sunday by Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler, Judge Kimberly Koester found probable cause for Larson's arrest on a two-count felony information charging him with Neu's kidnapping. The judge set Larson's bond at $250,000.

Larson is being held in the Scott County, Missouri Jail in Sikeston, pending extradition proceedings and eventual transfer to Effingham County.