An abducted Texas teen was saved in southern California after an onlooker witnessed her holding a sign that said

“Help me”

in a parked vehicle. The rescue occurred earlier in the month, reports the New York Post. 

The unnamed 13-year-old girl appeared to be

“visibly emotional and distressed”

after authorities arrived at the Long Beach location where the bystander found her. Officials found out that a stranger discovered the girl holding a

“Help me”

sign with red letters as she sat in a parked car. Thankfully, the stranger recognized the teen, acknowledged her, and then contacted officials.

According to NBC Los Angeles, 61-year-old Steven Robert Sablan was apprehended. Reports say Sablan was in the laundromat when the teen was discovered by the bystander. Officials learned that the 61-year-old approached the teen as she stood at a San Antonio bus stop and forced her to enter his car at knifepoint. 

Court documents noted by the U.S Attorney’s Office, Central District of California say that he told the girl,

“‘If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you.’”

A statement said that during the drive, the girl told him that she had a pal in Australia, and he then promised to place her on a cruise ship to visit her friend; however, she

“had to do something for him first.”

He then drove to California from Texas over a three-day span and raped her on several occasions. 

The man was later indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury on

“one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity,”

reports The Post. 

The teen was documented as a runaway; however, she’s currently with the Department of Child and Family Services.