A Georgia man, accused of abducting his 2-month-old child, was apprehended on Sunday as Florida troopers intercepted him while traveling through the state with the infant inside his vehicle.
At around 4 p.m. on Sunday, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was informed that the suspected kidnapper, Maurtez Rashaad Edwards, 23, was making his way along U.S. 319 in Wakulla County.
Authorities spotted Edwards about 30 minutes later as he was traveling westbound on SR 20 and SR 267 in Leon County, heading toward Liberty County.
Efforts were made by a trooper and Liberty County deputies to stop Edwards, but authorities reported that he refused to pull over and accelerated, leading to a “dangerous chase.”
Edwards was said to be driving recklessly, reaching speeds as high as 92 miles per hour and performing sudden brake maneuvers on the officers, all while his 2-month-old was in the car’s back seat.
The pursuit continued into Gadsden County, where authorities said a trooper was able to “successfully and safely” execute a PIT maneuver.
According to FHP, after attempting to flee from the car, Edwards was halted by Liberty County deputies. He reportedly retrieved an AR-15 rifle hidden in the vehicle and positioned the barrel under his chin.
Liberty County deputies managed to disarm Edwards following a brief altercation. Troopers indicated that Edwards then fled into the woods, leaving his infant behind in the car.
However, troopers and deputies quickly caught up with him and placed him under arrest, according to the FHP.
Authorities said the abducted infant was safely secured in a car seat with no signs of injury. The 2-month-old child was reunited with his mother and grandmother at a hospital in Gadsden County.
Edwards was booked into the Liberty County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on an officer, aggravated battery on an officer, cruelty toward a child, kidnapping a child under 13, and displaying a firearm during commission of a felony.
“This incident highlights how important it is for the motoring public to stay alert to their surroundings and assist law enforcement,” said Gary Howze, Colonel of the Florida Highway Patrol. “It demonstrates how Florida law enforcement work together as resource multipliers in our commitment to helping those in harm’s way, pursuing justice and holding criminals accountable.”
