Kidnapped Lubbock Teen Died of Strangulation
By: Karl Rundgren
Updated: January 26, 2011
LUBBOCK -- Lubbock County authorities have announced that a missing 15 year-old was strangled to death.
Elizabeth Ennen's body was found Monday night in a field northeast of Shallowater. Police say Humberto Salinas Jr. -- a family friend -- killed Ennen on January 5th while she was babysitting at the Carriage Inn. They also say he gave the police bad information, trying to lead them in the wrong direction.
Police believe Salinas forced Ennen into his vehicle after a fight and took off. He returned 8 minutes later, alone.
"My first instinct, being a daddy, and everything else, my first instinct is 'Let's go get him,' said Lubbock County District Attorney Matt Powell. "But I have to take the emotional side out of it and say OK, let's look at the prosecution side of it, what's in the best interest of the case."
Powell added that he would not cut any deal with this kind of suspect.
Salinas has not been charged, but charges are expected soon.
Elizabeth Ennen's body was found Monday night in a field northeast of Shallowater. Police say Humberto Salinas Jr. -- a family friend -- killed Ennen on January 5th while she was babysitting at the Carriage Inn. They also say he gave the police bad information, trying to lead them in the wrong direction.
Police believe Salinas forced Ennen into his vehicle after a fight and took off. He returned 8 minutes later, alone.
"My first instinct, being a daddy, and everything else, my first instinct is 'Let's go get him,' said Lubbock County District Attorney Matt Powell. "But I have to take the emotional side out of it and say OK, let's look at the prosecution side of it, what's in the best interest of the case."
Powell added that he would not cut any deal with this kind of suspect.
Salinas has not been charged, but charges are expected soon.
