A local man was arrested late last night after a long campaign of targeted stalking, harassment, and threats of bodily harm against Elizabeth Barton, AKA “Dear Libby” of the Emerson Valley Gazette. The perpetrator, 28-year-old Robert Delisle, was apprehended attempting to abduct Mrs. Barton from a friend’s house. After detaining Mr. Delisle, police searched his car and found many incriminating pieces of evidence that directly connected him to the stalking and harassment case. Later, a search of his home and work turned up even more evidence.

Mr. Delisle had been working as the night shift manager at the city morgue, but was put on indefinite suspension pending an internal investigation into his misuse of city resources. He had hacked into Mrs. Barton’s home security network and was using her own cameras to spy on her, all of which was discovered on the morgue’s night shift computer terminal used exclusively by the perpetrator. If convicted, Mr. Delisle would immediately lose access to his city pension, and he could face further charges for the misuse of city resources.

At this time, we’d like to reassure our readers that Mrs. Barton is safe and sound. However, we ask that you respect her privacy and allow her time to recover from her harrowing ordeal. Anyone who would like to leave messages of support for Mrs. Barton can send them to us at emersonvalleygazette@gmail.com, and we will forward them to her.

-Sarah Donovan, Editor & Local News, Emerson Valley Gazette