DUNNELLON, Fla. (NEWSnet/AP) — A missing Ohio teen was recovered in Florida after she logged in to an online video game at the home of the man who took her, authorities said.

Thomas Ebersole, 31, was arrested Jan. 3 at his Dunnellon home, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The area is about 80 miles north of Tampa. Police in Lima, Ohio, had reported the girl missing on Dec. 28.

The FBI had contacted the sheriff’s office earlier that day to request help in locating the missing 16-year-girl. Investigators determined that her World of Warcraft account had been used at a local address, which turned out to be Ebersole’s home, authorities said. His account also was  accessed at the location.

Investigators made contact with Ebersole at his home, and he initially denied knowing the girl, officials said. He eventually admitted he had driven to Ohio to meet the teen and took her back to his home, authorities said. Ebersole also told investigators that he was in a romantic relationship with the girl and was going to hide her in his home until they could get married.

Ebersole faces felony charges of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity and interfering with child custody, as well as a misdemeanor charge of sheltering an unmarried minor, according to jail records. He was being held on $6,000 bail.

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