Missing 15-year-old Kentucky girl found in West Bend with registered sex offender

WEST BEND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 15-year-old girl missing from Logan County in Kentucky was located in West Bend with a registered sex offender. 

According to police, the girl willingly drove with 30-year-old Steven M. Stathas from Kentucky to Wisconsin. West Bend police officers pulled over Stathas with the girl in the car on Monday, Nov. 29 around 2:48 a.m.

According to West Bend Police, they were contacted by the Logan County Sheriff's Department in Kentucky on Sunday, Nov. 28 of the missing girl. The Logan County Sheriff’s deputy reported the girl’s father had information his daughter may be with an adult male from West Bend.

Investigators also learned Mr. Stathas, a registered sex offender, drove to Kentucky a number of times in October and November 2021 and visited the 15-year-old girl.

Stathas was previously convicted of child enticement in Ozaukee County in 2010. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years extended supervision. Mr. Stathas is no longer under the supervision of the Department of Correction. He is required to register as a sex offender until 2036.

During his visits to Kentucky Mr. Stathas and the 15-year-old girl engaged in a sexual relationship.

West Bend Police arrested Mr. Stathas for using a computer to facilitate child sex crimes.

He is currently in Washington County Jail.

The West Bend Police Department is working with officials in Logan County Kentucky to coordinate additional charges against Mr. Stathas.