WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A witness says a 6-year-old North Carolina girl found following an 18-hour search was chained to a tree when deputies located her.

New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon says the child was found Thursday morning about 2 miles from her home near Wilmington.

The witness, Jason Mehalko, tells local news outlets he loaned deputies a saw which they used to free the girl.

Authorities did not immediately confirm the child was chained, but an arrest warrant says she was unlawfully confined and restrained.

A registered sex offender, 46-year-old Douglas Edwards, has been charged with kidnapping and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

He's being held on $9 million bond and was to appear in court Friday. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney.