In a shocking turn of events, a missing 16-year-old girl from North Carolina was discovered hidden beneath a trap door inside a man's residence in Kentucky on Christmas day. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office played a vital role in unearthing this distressing incident.

According to official documents obtained by ABC11, authorities were alerted to the situation after an altercation between Zackary Jones, the suspect, and his girlfriend. Jones initially denied the presence of any girl in his house but eventually consented to a search by law enforcement officials. During the walk-through, officers stumbled upon drug paraphernalia, prompting Jones to attempt disposing of it in a wood stove in one of the bedrooms. He was swiftly restrained and removed from the premises.

Continuing their search, deputies stumbled upon a cutout door in the floor, cleverly concealed by a rug in the same bedroom. To their astonishment, they discovered the missing teenager hidden beneath. Utilizing a computer, they confirmed her status as missing from Fayetteville, North Carolina since December 6.

As authorities spoke to the teenager, she disclosed disturbing details of her ordeal, alleging that Jones had engaged in sexual acts with her while subjecting her to physical assault and strangulation. She further claimed that Jones had coerced her into using drugs such as crack and marijuana. Law enforcement officers noted that the girl appeared to be under the influence during their conversation, prompting them to transport her to the hospital for necessary medical attention.

Following the reading of his Miranda rights, Jones confessed to having communicated with the teenager online before driving to Fayetteville to retrieve her from her grandmother's residence. Although Jones initially presented himself as a 19-year-old, the girl became suspicious upon seeing him and realized he was significantly older. Jones then admitted to actually being 25 years old. Once in Kentucky, the girl discovered through her family members that Jones was, in fact, 34 years old. It was at this point that threats of violence were allegedly made, including the use of a firearm, and she was coerced into claiming that she was of legal age. Shockingly, the suspect even threatened to harm a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop.

Law enforcement officials additionally revealed that Jones admitted to having sexual encounters with the teenager on multiple occasions and coercing her into performing sexual acts. However, he denied the choking allegations, despite the visible marks observed on the girl's neck.

Zackary Jones is now facing an array of charges, including assault, strangulation, rape, and unlawful transaction with a minor, as a result of his heinous actions.

This disheartening incident serves as a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant in protecting vulnerable individuals from such exploitation. The authorities involved in this case are commended for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of this missing teenager.