Judge Orders Charles Partin Jailed Until Trial

A federal judge Wednesday ordered a man initially charged with abducting his teenaged stepdaughter from a doctor's office in Dothan held until trial.  While federal kidnaping charges against Charles Dean Partin have been dismissed, he still faces a charge of transporting a stolen car across state lines.

"The credible testimony and information submitted at the hearing establishes by clear and convincing evidence that defendant executed a premeditated plan to abduct his minor common law stepdaughter from the custody of (the Department of Human Resources and to transport her in a stolen vehicle across state lines to elude capture," Judge Susan Russ Walker wrote in her ruling.

Additionally, Walker said the court found no assurance Partin would show up for his trial scheduled in early 2013.  She also cited prior criminal activity as partial basis for her decision.  Partin, according to the court and Dothan Police, faces a sex charge in Tennessee and could face similar crimes which have yet to be filed in Alabama.  District Attorney Douglas Albert Valeska could also file state kidnapping charges against the 36-year old Partin.

Partin and his common law wife, Julie Bethke, were arrested September 22 after 15-year old Aileen Lander was taken from the medical clinic where she had an appointment. Lander was accompanied by a DHR worker at the time.  The couple, traveling with Lander and five of her siblings, eluded authorities for five days before they were captured in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bethke faces a charge of interfering with child custody and is being held in the Houston County Jail under $350,000 bond.