Texas Woman Found Alive At Bottom Of Well
GUN BARREL CITY, Texas (AP) – A beaten Gun Barrel City woman was discovered in an abandoned water well hours after a suspect had been stopped in her car.
The Henderson County sheriff’s department says 18-year-old Joshua James Cannon of the Gun Barrel City area is held on $17,500 bond.
Cannon is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Relatives of 63-year-old Shirley Shafer couldn’t find her Friday afternoon, but noticed her cell phone on a table.
Her cell phone had a message from Seagoville police saying a car registered to her had been stopped for reckless driving and the vehicle was impounded. Two people in the car were released.
Shafer’s family then reported her missing — and the search began.
A grandson discovered Shafer in a 20-foot-deep well. She was treated for a broken nose, plus bruises and dehydration.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports Shafer was in the well for 16 hours in an ordeal that began when the suspect knocked on her door to say his truck broke down — and he needed a phone.
Cannon was arrested Friday night.
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Information from KLTV-TV & Tyler Morning Telegraph:
www.kltv.com & www.tylerpaper.com
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
