Runaway ex-head and girl found at Las Vegas hotel

A former Baptist school head accused of running off with an 11-year-old girl was captured by the FBI after the two were found together in a Las Vegas-area hotel.

William Beith, 28, was arrested on charges of coercing and enticing a minor into sexual acts and transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes, said FBI agent Doug Garrison in Indianapolis.

"He’s in federal custody. We have the girl," Garrison said.

The sixth-grader was reported missing on May 1 after an argument with her parents at a discount store. An employee told police she was crying and seen running in the store parking lot. Her parents believe she may have telephoned Beith.

On Friday, the two sent letters to their parents indicating they were fine.

Beith was arrested in 1990, while still a teenager, and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for exposing himself to a 15-year-old girl.

Charges were dismissed after he received counselling under a deferred prosecution programme, authorities said.