Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story (2024) air date, cast and the true crime behind Lifetime movie
Movie name: Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story (2024)
Platform: Lifetime
Country of origin: USA
Date of Release: February 10, 2024
Genre: True Crime/Thriller
Director: Katie Boland
Writers: Amani Walker
Full Cast of Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story (2024): Sam Asante, Riele Downs, Kenya Moore, Dylan Taylor, Aidan Devine, Jennifer De Lucia, Danny Waugh, Diane Johnstone
Is 'Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story' based on a true story?
Yes it is. The Lifetime movie is based on the real-life kidnapping of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither by Delvin Barnes in 2014. Carlesha was abducted off a Philadelphia street and bundled into the kidnapper's car. The whole event was captured on CCTV cameras (see footage below).
How did Carlesha Freeland-Gaither 'help' authorities find her after her abduction?
Officials hailed Carlesha's presence-of-mind after she left a series of clues that would help investigating authorities find her. Carlesha kept her wits about her and smashed the window of Barnes's car with a hammer she found in the backseat (she also struck him with it). She also allowed Barnes to use her debit card in the hope that authorities would be able to trace it. She intentionally dropped her cell phone at the scene to let officials know that she had been abducted.
Was Delvin Barnes known to law enforcement authorities?
As Carlesha's abduction was captured on CCTV camera, the video was widely circulated among law enforcement in the area and neighboring states. On watching the footage police in Virginia recognized Delvin as a suspect they were hunting for raping and trying to kill a 16-year-old girl (Barnes later confessed to the crime).
Did Delvin Barnes go to prison?
The 38-year-old Delvin Barnes was sentenced to 35 years in prison. According to a report from NBC's Philadephia affiliate, "Barnes confirmed he abducted the 22-year-old in hopes of getting money from her to travel south to Virginia to see his daughter there before facing charges for an earlier attack".
Who is Dwayne Fletcher?
Fletcher was a key eyewitness and the person who found Carlesha Freeland-Gaither's phone. The information he provided the authorities helped in her rescue. "He witnessed it, he watched, he called the police twice. If it wasn't for him, I don't think we'd have the same outcome. This man is a hero," Sloan said. Detective James Sloan said of Fletcher, "He witnessed it, he watched, he called the police twice. If it wasn't for him, I don't think we'd have the same outcome. This man is a hero."
Was there a reward for information that led to the rescue of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither?
There was a $47,000 reward, but it is unclear who, if anyone, received whole or part of the money.
Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story main cast
Sam Asante
Sam has been everywhere from 'Shadowhunters' and 'Star Trek: Discovery' to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'Designated Survivor' and most recently 'Reacher'. But apart from TV series, Sam has also starred in movies like 'Famous', and 'Blackout City'.
Riele Downs
Riele got her big break in the John Singleton movie 'Four Brothers' where she starred opposite Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson. After lending her voice to Charlotte in 'The Adventure of Kid Danger' she would go on to land her first major role playing the same character in the live-action 'Henry Danger' TV show which would run for six years. She also stars as Yazmin Staats in the dramatic Fresh Prince reboot 'Bel Air'.
Kenya Moore
Miss USA (1993) Kenya needs little to no introduction. Absolutely stunning and seriously talented, Kenya got her break on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' in 1994. She would go on to star in such hits as 'Sparks', 'The Steve Harvey Show' and as Valerie Bridgeforth in 'In the House'. But it was as a Real Housewife that Kenya would become a household name (see what we did there?), starring in five seasons of the hit Bravo show 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'.
Is 'Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story' worth watching?
If you're a fan of true crime and shows based on real events then yes. If you're a fan of Kenya Moore, then certainly. With director Katie Boland, the movie is in extremely good hands. Katie, who is an astonishingly good actor in her own right ('Five Days at Memorial', 'Reign'), has directed episodes of the hit series 'Murdoch Mysteries' and the well-received short 'Lolz-ita'.
MEAWW Watch ranking
3 out of 5