Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story (2024 Lifetime)
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Cast: Kenya Moore, Riele Downs,
Director: Katie Boland
Writer: Amani Walker
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
Carlesha (Riele Downs) was walking home from a family gathering when she is forced into a car at knifepoint. Determined to survive and outsmart her captor, Carlesha leaves clues behind at every opportunity. Meanwhile, Carleshaās mother, Keisha (Kenya Moore) stops at nothing to find her, making an impassioned plea to the media and working alongside a committed detective to rescue her before itās too late.
Recap/Wine Thoughts.
The movie begins in a shed where a serial abductor/killer, Delvin Barnes looks at pictures of his many victims. His current victim, Mary, attempts to escape, but Delvin catches her and maybe kills her as she pleads for her life. (It is disturbing.)
Cut to Carlisha, a nursing assistant in Philidelphia. Her family lives in the area and is proud of her success in her job. Carlisha’s parents, Carl and Keisha, are divorced. (but hey, now we know how Carlisha got her name!) They host a BBQ for the family, and it is a joyful day.
Looking for his next victim, Delvin Barnes follows black women who are alone on the street. Carlisha walks to her apartment and is attacked by Delvin. She fights him off as she screams for help, but even though she fights like hell, he overpowers her. An eyewitness sees the whole thing happen and tries to stop the kidnapping and calls 911. (The witness gives the police as much information as possible.)
Carlisha is smart. She throws her glasses and phone to leave breadcrumbs for the police. Then she tries to reason with Delvin and explain that her family will be looking for her. He tells her she belongs to him and they are all the same. She learns about his family, that he grew up in the church, and that he has a daughter and a wife.
Keisha goes to the police and is upset to learn that Carlisha isn’t the first black woman in Philly to go missing recently. She tells the detective to imagine this is his daughter and dismisses his questions about Carlisha’s life. The police release the CTV video of the abduction and search for the car Carlisha was dragged into.
Carlisha attempts to run away by pretending to have to go to the bathroom. Delvin throws her in the car’s trunk and tells her never to try to get away again. Carlisha keeps him talking and finding connections between the two of them. She even convinces him to stop at an ATM and use her card to withdraw money. She is leaving more breadcrumbs.
Police focus on the ex-boyfriend and messages he sent Carlisha. I understand the boyfriend/husband is the most likely suspect, but the CTV shows a clear abduction. They are wasting time! Keisha tells the detective that they will hold a police conference to up the profile on the case.
While stopping to get food at a gas station, Carlisha continues to talk to Delvin about his daughter. She convinces him to call his family, and she throws trash out the window (zip ties and the receipt.) while he is distracted. Delvin becomes upset that no one answers his call and lashes out at Carlisha. Then, he feels bad and takes her to a diner for her “last meal.”
At the diner, Delvin makes a pregnant waitress extremely uncomfortable. He tells Carlisha that if she tries anything, he will kill the waitress. As they eat, he talks about how everyone has wronged him. Carlisha tells him that he doesn’t need to live in the past. Then she leaves a “SAVE ME” note for the waitress.
The police track the car to Maryland and get a location. As they close in, Delvin tries to switch cars, and Carlisha makes her getaway. Delvin chases her through the parking lot, but the police close in and rescue Carlisha.
Carlisha recovers and makes a victim statement at his trial. She was with him for 72 hours. Delvin Barnes was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Carlisha lives in Philly and raises her son, who is her favorite person.
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
Read about the Real Events that this movie is based on.
This movie was a difficult watch, but I liked how Carlisha was not just another victim and took and active role in her rescue.
Overall rating
Ā Number of Kills: N/A
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
š·š·š· (3 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it up! (Give it a shot)
Put a Cork in It (Skip It)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked & @patrickmiguel
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