A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for the suspect in the kidnapping of a missing Alabama teen.
According to WSFA, the District Court of Lee County granted a motion filed by Ibraheem Yazeed’s legal team and set the hearing for November 20. Yazeed, 30, has been jailed on first-degree kidnapping charges since his arrest last Thursday in Escambia County, Florida.
During typical preliminary hearings, a judge will hear arguments from the defense and prosecution regarding whether or not there is sufficient evidence for the case to go to the grand jury. If the case is presented to the grand jury, they will decide if Yazeed should be indicted on first-degree kidnapping charges.
Yazeed is accused of abducting Aniah Blanchard, 19, from an Auburn convenience store on October 23. A witness reportedly saw Yazeed forcing Blanchard into her car—which was found damaged and covered in her blood at a Montgomery apartment complex two days later.
Prior to her disappearance, Blanchard had reportedly spoken with a friend and told her roommate in Snapchat messages that she was meeting a man.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Yazeed at the convenience store around the time Blanchard vanished. At the time of Blanchard’s disappearance, Yazeed was out on bail on attempted murder charges—despite having a lengthy criminal history which includes arrests for kidnapping and robbery.
Authorities have been mum regarding the ongoing missing persons case as a gag order was implemented earlier this week. Yazeed remains at Lee County Jail without bond.
Blanchard was described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 125 pounds, and having brown eyes and brown hair. She was reportedly last seen wearing a black dress, tan duck boots, and black stockings.
Anyone with information regarding Aniah Blanchard’s whereabouts, or an accident involving her vehicle, is urged to contact the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140 or the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391.
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[Featured image: Aniah Blanchard/Facebook; Ibraheem Yazeed/Escambia County Sheriff’s Office]
