Child abduction charge dismissed
URBANA — A Champaign County prosecutor has dismissed a child-abduction charge lodged against a Champaign man.
Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris on Wednesday dismissed the single felony count filed against Billy Wayne Mullins in October because the only witness who could identify the Champaign man apparently moved out of state.
Mullins, 54, who listed an address in the 1400 block of Comanche Drive, was accused of trying to lure a 13-year-old girl to his home in the Dobbins Downs neighborhood on Sept. 28 by asking her if she would help him with his groceries.
Judge Harry Clem allowed Harris to dismiss the charge without prejudice, meaning that if Harris can locate the girl in the future, he could refile the charge.
At the time Mullins was arrested in early October, State's Attorney Julia Rietz said the teen had picked him from a photo lineup.
In late September, Champaign police received nine reports of children being approached by different men in vehicles. Mullins was the only man arrested for any of those incidents in Champaign.
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