Father allegedly forced 4-year-old daughter to be accomplice

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say they believe a man instructed his 4-year-old daughter to break into homes and steal from stores as the two travelled from Bernalillo County to Texas.

Torrance County Sheriff Heath White says Jered McMeans, 32, was arrested Monday after driving with his daughter across the state on a crime spree.

Deputies responding to a possible kidnapping report spotted McMeans at a truck stop near Interstate 40. He was arrested after a chase.

Court documents say the girl had cuts on her legs and lips. White said she was being held by the state until relatives in Louisiana could pick her up.