A Texas father heroically rescued his 15-year-old daughter after using her phone’s location to discover where she was being held captive, according to local deputies.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that they were called to a residence in Porter, near Houston, around 4:50 p.m. on Christmas Day. The call was regarding the alleged kidnapping of a teenage girl.

Upon their arrival, deputies learned that the girl had gone out to walk her dog but did not return home at her usual time, prompting her parents to worry. Utilizing parental controls to track her phone, the father journeyed to a secluded, wooded area in Harris County, approximately two miles from their home, as explained by the Sheriff’s Office.

There, the father found his daughter and her dog inside a maroon pickup truck along with a partially undressed 23-year-old man. He managed to free his daughter from the vehicle and immediately alerted the authorities, the report continued.

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Giovanni Rosales Espinoza had reportedly threatened the young girl with a knife and forcibly took her from the street. (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators revealed that the suspect, identified as Giovanni Rosales Espinoza from Porter, had allegedly threatened the victim with a knife before abducting her, deputies confirmed.

Using descriptions provided by witnesses, the Sheriff’s Office said its deputies were able to track down Espinoza and bring him into custody without incident. 

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said “Espinoza was taken into custody without incident and charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child.” (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office)

He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child  and remains held without bond. 

“Christmas is a day meant for joy, but this man chose to shatter that joy by targeting a child. I am incredibly proud of our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator was swiftly apprehended and is now off our streets,” Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said.

“Rest assured that your Sheriff’s Office remains vigilant every hour of every day to keep your families safe,” he added. 

Deputies said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.