On the night of January 30, around 9 PM, Galveston police received a report of a missing 12-year-old girl. She had gone out to walk her dog, something she normally does, and never made it back home.
Investigators later determined that while she was walking, the child was approached by an adult man identified as Graham Dunn. Dunn got out of his vehicle, forced the child inside, and drove away.
Police immediately began searching for the child. Using an emergency phone ping, officers located her phone in the area of the 8700 block of Seawall Boulevard. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded and launched an extensive search effort, including drones and a helicopter.
During the search, officers focused on a nearby hotel in that area. After persistent efforts to obtain surveillance footage, video confirmed that the child had been taken into the hotel by Graham Dunn. Officers forced entry into the hotel room, safely recovered the child, and arrested Dunn. The child was returned safely to her family.
As a result of the investigation, Graham Dunn is facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. One charge carries a bond of $500,000, and prosecutors are seeking no bond on the remaining charges. The DA’s Office is get that $500,000 decision appealed to a no bond.
Investigators also revealed that Dunn is believed to be a serial sexual predator, with a criminal history that includes prior arrests, pending charges, and active investigations in several states. Authorities from other states contacted Galveston police following his arrest, stating they had ongoing investigations involving both adult and juvenile victims. They also reported that Dunn has previously avoided court proceedings and continued offending while on bond or probation.
The district attorney emphasized that the victim and her family did nothing wrong, stating this was not a failure of parenting or supervision. Officials stressed that Galveston is a safe community and that children should be able to walk their dogs, ride bikes, and be outside without fear.
The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors are seeking the maximum punishment allowed under the law.
