A late-night tip and quick action by an Indiana State Police trooper have led to the safe recovery of a missing 14-year-old and the arrest of a man wanted for kidnapping.

From Michigan to Indiana: A Dangerous Road Trip

It was just after midnight when dispatchers in DeKalb County got word from Michigan — a 14-year-old had reportedly been picked up in Ionia by a man driving from Kentucky. The Ionia County Sheriff’s Department shared details about the suspect and the vehicle.

Minutes later, an ISP trooper spotted the car at the I-69 rest stop in Steuben County. In the middle of the night, a routine rest area turned into a rescue scene.

One short line: one kid, one trooper, one lucky break.

Who Was Arrested

The man behind the wheel? 42-year-old Chayleang Tiang from Paris, Kentucky. Troopers say he’d driven hundreds of miles to Michigan to meet the minor — who’d now been taken across state lines.

After checking the details, troopers confirmed Michigan already had a kidnapping warrant for Tiang. He was handcuffed on the spot and taken to the Steuben County Jail. He’s now waiting to be sent back to Michigan.

How the Victim Was Found Safe

Officials say the 14-year-old was unharmed and reunited with their guardians soon after the arrest. No word yet on exactly how long they’d been gone — but police are crediting the fast communication between Michigan and Indiana agencies for bringing the child home safe.

One line sums it up: a few hours can change everything.

Internet Crimes Against Children: A Hard Reminder

This case is another wake-up call for parents and guardians about the risks kids face online. While details about how Tiang and the victim met haven’t been shared, the Indiana State Police used this incident to remind Hoosiers about the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

ISP says families should:

• Check devices regularly.

• Talk openly with kids about online safety.

• Report suspicious contact to local law enforcement.

If you think your child may have been exploited or groomed online, the ICAC Task Force recommends reporting it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

One sentence: The NCMEC tipline has helped bring thousands of kids home.

What Happens Next

For now, Tiang sits in Steuben County Jail waiting for extradition to Michigan. There, he’ll face the kidnapping charge and likely more questions about how and why he drove across multiple states to meet a child.

Meanwhile, the ISP trooper who spotted that car at a lonely rest stop just did what good cops do — stayed alert, trusted the info, and made sure one family didn’t have to wake up to worse news.