Rockingham County Man Arrested for Abducting Juvenile from Tennessee

27-year-old Dakota Wayne Vettor charged with felony abduction of a child

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 27-year-old man named Dakota Wayne Vettor has been arrested in Rockingham County, North Carolina for the abduction of a female juvenile from Memphis, Tennessee. The juvenile was reported missing on Sunday, March 1 by her parents to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Rockingham County deputies were able to locate the missing juvenile at Vettor's address on Monday, March 2.

Why it matters

Child abductions are a serious crime that can have traumatic impacts on victims and their families. This case highlights the importance of law enforcement coordination across state lines to quickly locate missing children and apprehend suspected abductors.

The details

According to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, deputies were contacted on Monday in reference to the missing juvenile from Tennessee. They were able to locate the juvenile at Vettor's address in Stoneville, North Carolina. The juvenile was questioned and placed in the custody of the Rockingham County Department of Social Services until her parents could pick her up. Vettor was interviewed and charged with felony abduction of a child. He is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 10.

  • The juvenile was reported missing on Sunday, March 1 by her parents to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee.
  • On Monday, March 2, Rockingham County deputies located the missing juvenile at 3921 US 311 in Stoneville, North Carolina.
  • Vettor is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 10, 2026 at 8:55 am.

The players

Dakota Wayne Vettor

A 27-year-old man from Rockingham County, North Carolina who has been charged with felony abduction of a child.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Tennessee that the juvenile's parents reported her missing to.

Rockingham County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in North Carolina that located the missing juvenile and arrested Vettor.

Rockingham County Department of Social Services

The agency that took custody of the juvenile until her parents could pick her up.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will decide on March 10 whether to grant Vettor bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of swift law enforcement coordination across state lines to locate and recover missing children, as well as the serious consequences for those who commit the crime of child abduction.