Montgomery Co. man accused of kidnapping Kentucky girl says ‘whole thing is a misunderstanding’

A Montgomery County, Maryland, man facing kidnapping charges for allegedly taking a 13-year-old girl from her home in Kentucky is not fighting extradition.

Christian Delgado, 37, spoke during a hearing Monday in Montgomery County District Court, telling the judge, “The whole thing is a misunderstanding” and that he’s a “model citizen.”

Delgado is accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Wynter Wagoner, who had been missing from Rockcastle County, Kentucky, since mid-October.

Montgomery County police said a tip, from someone who had a strange feeling seeing the girl with Delgado, led to her being found in a Silver Spring home over the weekend.

It was also revealed in court that Delgado grew up in Montgomery County, then left, but has been back living in the county since 2023. He also recently took a job as a car salesman, according to testimony in court.

Delgado asked judge John Moffett to release him so he could go to Kentucky to turn himself in to face the charges, saying that would allow him to prepare his defense, talk to his lawyer and not be a burden on taxpayers.

The judge denied the request and Delgado waived his right to an extradition hearing. He is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he’s awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

Several of his family members attended the court hearing; one started to say something in court but was cut off by a public defender.

Officials said Wagoner was picked up early from school by her foster parents Oct. 14 and when her parents went to check on her, they discovered she was gone.

Montgomery County police put out a release Saturday announcing Wagoner had been found with Delgado inside a Silver Spring home in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive after receiving the tip she might be in the area.

Police said Wagoner was taken to an area hospital for evaluation, but did not provide details on her condition.

Her father, Dusty Wagoner, had pleaded for her to reach out in the weeks leading up to her discovery. The family offered a $5,000 reward for any information leading to her safe return.

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Kyle Cooper

Weekend and fill-in anchor Kyle Cooper has been with WTOP since 1992. Over those 25 years, Kyle has worked as a street reporter, editor and anchor. Prior to WTOP, Kyle worked at several radio stations in Indiana and at the Indianapolis Star Newspaper.

Grace Newton

Grace Newton is an Associate Producer at WTOP. She also works as an associate producer for NPR Newscast. Grace was born and raised in North Carolina but has lived in D.C. since 2018. Grace graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and minor in art history in 2022.

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