Toddler’s Father Faces Kidnapping Charge
Florida Man Brandon Leohner, 27, of Palm Coast attempted to abduct the infant he has in common with his girlfriend. What he got was a full service response from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office complete with Taser and a few bites from their K-9.
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Deputies were dispatched to a home in Palm Coast reference a call about a possible child abduction of a 1 year old. Upon arrival they were advised by the infant’s mother, that her boyfriend Brandon Leohner abducted the child and fled the residence in his vehicle. Leohner had the infant sitting on his lap, and he was armed with a pistol.
Leohner was located driving recklessly through medians southbound on Belle Terre Parkway. When a traffic stop was attempted, Leohner fled eastbound on State Road 100 again over median’s and then through oncoming traffic! Leohner then turned into the Town Center Target shopping plaza finally stopping his vehicle near a McDonald’s and exited the vehicle carrying the infant.
With the vehicle pursuit ended, Leohner fled on foot with the infant, and Flagler Deputies cornered him near the McDonald’s drive thru. Leohner then showed how despicable he is by holding the child up in front of him as a human shield to prevent Deputies from Tasing him!
Deputies continued to give Leohner commands to put the child down, but he refused. The situation was not looking good. Finally, a Deputy was able to get a clear shot and tased Leohner. Leohner went down on his side/back while still holding the child. As soon as he hit the ground, a deputy grabbed the infant and took him from the scene. Leohner continued to resist and was bitten by a Sheriff’s K-9.
After finally securing Leohner, paramedics came in and treated his bite wounds, although he was transported to the hospital for further treatment. While at the hospital Leohner told Deputies where he ditched the Glock pistol he had, and it was recovered.
Leohner was transported to the Flagler Jail and charged with kidnapping, using a minor as a shield, resisting an officer with violence, child neglect, and fleeing and eluding.
#BREAKING – #Floridaman accused of kidnapping 1-year-old, using child as human shield during an armed standoff with deputies in McDonald's parking lot. Flagler deputies zapped Brandon Matthew Douglas Leohner with stun gun, rescued kid (his girlfriend's child.) #news13flagler pic.twitter.com/L4GzguTXlS
— Kevin P. Connolly (@KevinPConnolly_) September 28, 2022
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly had this to say about the incident:
“Here is a case of a domestic situation turning violent, putting a 1 year old child and innocent drivers in danger. Deputies were confronted with a very chaotic situation and a very combative individual that was putting his child at risk by using the child as a shield. Our deputies did everything they could to quickly rescue this child safely from a madman and apprehend the suspect. Fortunately, the child was not hurt, and quickly reunited with his mother.”
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