On June 16th at approximately 9:45 a.m., deputies responded to a domestic violence call after a victim reported she had been strangled by her boyfriend. The victim also reported that the suspect had taken their 5-month-old child and left in a vehicle with the infant sitting on his lap.
As deputies searched for the suspect, they learned he had allegedly made suicidal statements and driven away erratically with the baby unrestrained in the vehicle. Deputies developed probable cause for assault and kidnapping and began an extensive search for the vehicle.
More than an hour later, deputies located the vehicle in a neighborhood near the 8600 block of 224th St. E in Graham and conducted a felony traffic stop. Knowing an infant could be inside the vehicle, deputies approached the situation with extreme caution and carefully evaluated each decision as the incident unfolded.
The 27-year-old suspect complied with deputies’ commands while holding the child. The infant was safely recovered and was not injured. The suspect was taken into custody and booked for Assault in the 4th Degree, Assault in the 2nd Degree, Kidnapping in the 1st Degree, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, and Felony Harassment with Threats to Kill.
This was an emotionally intense and high-risk situation for everyone involved. We are grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and restraint our deputies demonstrated while safely resolving the incident and ensuring the well-being of the child. Great work, deputies.