by Galveston, Texas — A Dallas man is being held without bond in a Galveston County jail after authorities say he abducted a child and sexually assaulted her inside a hotel room late last month.
Court records show Graham Dunn, 27, has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child following an investigation led by the Galveston Police Department.
Child Reported Missing After Not Returning Home
According to police, officers were called to a neighborhood in Galveston at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, after a 12-year-old girl failed to return home from walking the family dog.
Family members told officers the child had left around 7 p.m. and had not been heard from since, prompting an immediate missing child report.
Law enforcement agencies began searching the surrounding area while gathering available surveillance footage.
Surveillance Footage Leads Police to Hotel Room
During the investigation, police obtained security camera footage from a nearby hotel, which allegedly showed the child entering a room with an adult male.
Officers responded to the hotel and entered the room, where they found Dunn with the child, police said. The girl was recovered safely and provided medical and victim support services.
Dunn was taken into custody at the scene and later booked into the Galveston County Jail, where he remains held without bond.
Charges Filed as Investigation Continues
Jail records confirm Dunn is facing two serious felony charges:
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child
Due to the nature of the case and the age of the victim, authorities have not released additional identifying details. Police emphasized that protecting the child’s privacy remains a priority.
Galveston Police Chief Douglas Balli is expected to provide further details during a scheduled news conference.
Prior Criminal History Revealed in Court Records
Court documents from Dallas County show Dunn has a prior criminal history involving violent and sexual-related offenses.
Records indicate he was previously placed on probation for a misdemeanor family violence charge stemming from a June 2023 incident.
That probation was revoked in October after Dunn was arrested in North Carolina on charges of sexual battery and secret peeping, according to court filings.
Although he bonded out of jail in December, prosecutors said Dunn violated the terms of his probation again. A judge issued an arrest warrant on January 27, just three days before the alleged Galveston incident occurred.
Authorities Stress Importance of Reporting Missing Children Quickly
Law enforcement officials noted that the swift reporting of the child’s disappearance played a critical role in locating her. Police continue to investigate the case and are working with prosecutors as the legal process moves forward.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Galveston Police Department.
What steps do you think communities can take to better protect children and respond quickly when someone goes missing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
