The Selma Times-Journal

Frank “Happy” Carter has eluded capture for a month. It was a month ago Friday when he allegedly abducted a young Selma woman from the intersection of Minter Avenue and Tremont Street, beat her and left her for dead in a wooded area in Lowndes County.

Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin has warned the public anyone assisting Carter could face prosecution. Lowndes County Sheriff Willie Vaughner has said they are assisting the Selma Police Department in the search.

Carter, 47, has been charged with kidnapping and sexual assault for allegedly abducting a 23-year-old and brutally beating her, choking the victim with the cord from her sweat pants, police said.

“Anyone with any information leading to Mr. Carter’s whereabouts can contact us on our secret witness hotline or call our main number,” Martin said.

Police have towed his vehicle and there have been few sightings, though officers responded to a call at a relative’s house near Craig Field.

Nancy Travis, executive director of SABRA Sanctuary, said the victim is “probably scared for her safety.”

“She’s not sought shelter with us. She’s obviously with family members. Hopefully she’ll seek counseling. It’s something she probably won’t get some kind of closure until he gets caught,” Travis said.

SABRA Sanctuary has a 24-hour crisis hotline for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, and has served as a victim’s advocate since 1994.

“Rape is pretty common in our area. Girls as young as 12 years old have been raped,” Travis said.

The SABRA Sanctuary 24-hour hotline number is 874-8711, or (800) 650-6522. The Secret Witness Line at the Selma Police Department is 874-2190.

The victim Carter is sought in connection with was reportedly abducted against her will.

Police said she received more than 40 staples in her head and was left unconscious in the woods near Collerine. The victim regained consciousness and walked to a nearby house for help.

Carter is 5-foot-8 inches tall and approximately 180 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. Selma Police impounded Carter’s silver 2-door Honda Civic, the vehicle reportedly used in the alleged abduction.