Rebecca Lewis, Parents Reunite as Accused Abductor Awaits Extradition

LAKELAND, FL — Rebecca Lewis flew into Lakeland Linder Airport Tuesday afternoon for a reunion with her parents following a Saturday abduction that ended with arrest of a family friend in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Rebecca and her parents were brought back together in the early afternoon hours Oct. 11. The child reportedly exited the plane and ran straight to her family in what is being called an emotional reunion.

Meanwhile, the man accused of taking Rebecca from her family’s home in Lakeland remains jailed in Tennessee. Polk authorities say extradition for West Wild Hogs, 31, has not yet been finalized.

The search for Rebecca began on Saturday, Oct. 8 after her 16-year-old sister woke up and found her missing from her bed. Rebecca’s family searched around their home in the Lazy Dazy Retreat RV/Mobile Home Park off U.S. 98 for about an hour before calling the sheriff’s office.

Authorities say Hogs, who had his name legally changed from Matthew Clark Pybus, is a longtime friend of Rebecca's family. He is from Seale, Alabama. Hogs showed up unannounced in Polk County on Oct. 7 and arrived at the family’s home on Oct. 8, an email from the sheriff's office said.

Hogs and Rebecca were spotted in several locations during the multi-day manhunt. The first sighting was at a Lakeland McDonald’s shortly after the alleged abduction. By Saturday evening, the two were seen at a gas station off Interstate 75 in Forsythe, Georgia. They were also spotted at a park in Tennessee and a gas station in Nashville on Monday before authorities in Memphis captured Hogs and safely secured Rebecca, the sheriff's office said

Details about Hogs’ motivations in the alleged abduction have not yet been released. It is unclear when he will be brought to Polk County to face criminal charges.

Photo of Rebecca and Polk County Sheriff’s Office Det. Maria Sorenson at the Memphis FBI Office and Memphis booking photo of West Wild Hogs courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.