A Clark, Mo. County man is being held in Platte County, accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old he met via Instagram.
Alexander Zier, 22, of Kahoka, Mo. — located in the far northeastern corner of the state — is charged with one count of child kidnapping. Zier remains in custody in the Platte County Detention Center on $150,000 cash-only bond. A bond modification hearing was set for Tuesday, June 9 before judge Quint Shafer.
Alexander Zier
According to court documents, on Monday, May 18 Zier traveled nearly four hours to meet and pick up a 13-year-old Platte County girl he had met via Instagram and return to Clark County with her.
Platte County deputies responded to a call from the girl’s parents that day. Her parents told police she had gone out for a walk at around 1 p.m. and never returned home. A search of phone records uncovered an “Alex” who was in contact with the girl just before her disappearance.
When police called the number, a male answered the phone and identified himself as Alex and hung up. The girl’s mother then called and spoke to Alex, who put the girl on the phone. Via text, the girl said she did not want to come home.
Zier’s contact information was identified and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded to his home. There, they found Zier and the victim.
During an interview with police, Zier admitted he met the minor through a dating website and video chatted with her several times per week. Zier said she told him she was 18 years old.
When asked by police if there was anything on his phone he should worry about, Zier told police, “I am (expletive).”
He said he knew she looked young, but they had still exchanged several nude photos on various social media.