AKRON, Ohio -- In Summit County, prosecutors jailed a 14-year-old girl who they believe is a molestation victim.

According to NewsChannel5, police said the Norton Middle School student ran away from home to avoid testifying against the suspect, who is a 20-year-old man.

The girl failed to show up May 8 at the Galo Sanchez-Pesantes' trial. She was taken into custody a day later when her mother found her and called police.

Pesantes is free on bond.

Prosecutors told 5 On Your Side they jailed the witness for her own good.

"We don't want anything to happen to her," said Mary Ann Kovach, a Summit County prosecutor. "She's a victim in the offense that we are prosecuting, that we want her for trial."

Defense attorneys said the girl denied having sex and would not write a statement for police. They have asked that his case be dismissed and say the state has "effectively kidnapped" the girl.

The suspect is expected to be in court Tuesday morning.