Suspect is arrested after missing girl is found chained to bed

The Washington Post

A Pittsburgh teen-ager who vanished from her home on New Year’s Day and was found Friday inside a Herndon, Va., townhouse was quietly reunited with her family Saturday at Manassas Regional Airport, then flown back to Pennsylvania in good condition, her family said.

Meanwhile, ScottTyree, 38, the man accused of driving her from Pittsburgh to northern Virginia and chaining her to a bed, has cooperated with federal investigators, authorities said. He is being held in the Alexandria city jail while awaiting arraignment tomorrow in federal court.

"I won the world’s biggest lottery," Charles Kozakiewicz said after picking up his 13-year-old daughter, Alicia, at the Manassas airport. "I can’t be happier."

Charles Kozakiewicz, whose father is a former jail warden in Pennsylvania, knew that the chances his daughter would be found alive and well were slim after she disappeared Tuesday night. Alicia Kozakiewicz was a regular Internet surfer, and federal investigators believe she might have met Tyree in a chat room. After finishing a traditional New Year’s dinner of pork and sauerkraut with her parents and older brother about 6 p.m., she walked toward her bedroom and was not seen again.

Her family quickly publicized her disappearance. Her name and picture appeared on the front pages of Pittsburgh newspapers and on television. Charles Kozakiewicz said the publicity helped rescue his daughter. "It felt like a jigsaw puzzle, with all those pieces," he said. "And we got her home."

Federal investigators in Pittsburgh said Tyree, a programmer at Computer Associates International Inc.’s Herndon office, posted a photo of Alicia on the Internet for an online acquaintance in Tampa. That man then visited the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Web site, saw the picture of Alicia posted there, and called the FBI on Thursday night. The FBI tracked down Tyree through the Internet provider Yahoo, federal officials said.

A squad of agents visited Tyree’s rented townhouse duplex shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, knocked, then broke in through his front door. A neighbor said Alicia was freed several minutes later, after bolt cutters were brought into Tyree’s house.

Tyree was arrested about an hour later at his office. Computer Associates spokesman Robert Gordon said Tyree joined the company in March 2000 after it acquired another company where Tyree worked.

Alicia was evaluated at Inova Fairfax Hospital, then released to Fairfax County’s child protective services department for the night, said Herndon police Sgt. Donald Amos. Federal agents and Herndon detectives also "spent quite a bit of time talking to her," Amos said.

Alicia’s family was outside putting up fliers of her Friday when the FBI called to report that she had been rescued, Charles Kozakiewicz said. Saturday morning, the FBI flew Alicia’s parents and grandparents to northern Virginia from Pittsburgh by private jet.

"We had a real nice reunion," Charles Kozakiewicz said, adding that he was grateful they were able to hug Alicia in private, away from reporters who surrounded their home later yesterday. The family spent about an hour at the airport, he said.

The family flew back on the FBI jet and arrived in Pittsburgh shortly after noon, Charles Kozakiewicz said.

Tyree’s journey is just beginning. After his arrest, FBI agents took him to Herndon police headquarters, where he was interviewed past midnight, Amos said, indicating that Tyree was answering agents’ questions. Federal authorities in Pittsburgh charged Tyree with transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual conduct.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.