Child molester suspect escapes custody in Bay Area

Authorities are searching Northern California for a child molester suspect who overpowered a guard and escaped from custody during an out-of-jail hospital visit.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JOSE — Authorities are searching Northern California for a child molester suspect who overpowered a guard and escaped from custody during an out-of-jail hospital visit.

A spokesman with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department says Johnell Carter escaped from custody on Friday afternoon during a visit to a San Jose hospital. He is still believed to be in the area.

The 40-year-old was being held in jail on five charges of molesting a 9-year-old girl. He was arrested by police in Campbell, Calif., last March. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Carter is described as a 220-pound black man who is 5 feet 11 inches tall with a shaved head and the word "Amy" tattooed on his neck. He was last seen wearing jail-issue green shirt and pants.

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