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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 21, 1993                   TAG: 9301210029
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RIVERHEAD, N.Y.                                LENGTH: Short

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SUSPECT IN 10-YEAR-OLD'S KIDNAPPING INDICTED

A judge ordered John Esposito held on $1.1 million bail Wednesday after a grand jury indicted him on kidnapping, sexual abuse and other charges in the case of 10-year-old Katie Beers.

Esposito, handcuffed from behind, was unshaven and pale, but remained outwardly composed.

He was placed under a suicide watch at the prosecutor's request.

Assistant District Attorney William Ferris argued that Esposito should be held without bail because he faces life in prison if convicted. The indictment charges Esposito with kidnapping, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and making false sworn statements.

Police said Esposito kidnapped Katie on Dec. 28, then held her in a bunker beneath his home.

Since her rescue on Jan. 13, Katie has been cared for by a foster family, said Suffolk County Sheriff Patrick Mahoney.

"Katie didn't realize simple things like brushing your teeth and washing your face is something that you do every day," Mahoney said. "She didn't even realize that you have dinner at a certain time."

Katie's foster father, a decorated Vietnam veteran, is a longtime member of Mahoney's staff; her foster mother was herself adopted as a child. The foster parents have four children of their own.

"They're trying to give her a stabilized family environment, trying to give her love and show her a routine that every 10-year-old girl needs: especially in this day and age, especially with what she's been through," Mahoney said.

Katie's biological mother, Marilyn, is battling Suffolk County officials to regain custody.

"The family tells me that Katie is very happy," Mahoney said.

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