An alleged kidnapper who led authorities on a nation-wide, two-week manhunt will soon be leaving Washington and returning to Illinois to face charges.

John D. Moro, 34, of Centrailia, is accused of abducting his daughter, Demetria, from Giant City Elementary School at gun point.

Greg Zempel, the prosecutor of Kittitas County in Washington, said he did not file formal child molestation or child rape charges against Moro, so could face aggravated kidnapping charges in Illinois.

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However, Zempel did verify that there was judicial probable cause to hold Moro in Washington, and child rape and molestation charges may be filed against Moro at a later date.

We did not drop the charges, Zempel said.

Demetria’s mother Kelly Kurtz flew out to Washington last week, and brought her daughter back to Illinois.

Zempel said it did not make sense to make Demetria leave the environment she just returned to and feels safest in, and bring her back to Washington.

When they (Illinois prosecutors) are done we’ll have the opportunity to take a crack at him, Zempel said.

Zempel said Moro is free to be picked up from the Ellensburg, WA, jail to be transported back to Jackson County whenever authorities can get there. According to media reports Moro said he expects to return to Illinois within a few days.

Moro was apprehended outside an apartment building in Ellensburg, WA, by FBI agents last Tuesday. He was arrested on a Jackson County warrant for aggravated kidnapping and a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

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