Bodycam: Fla. Deputies Stop Man Using Kidnapped Child as Shield

Florida deputies saved a 1-year-old boy after he was kidnapped by his father, who used the child as a shield during a confrontation with authorities last week.

The incident happened Sept. 27 when Flagler County sheriff's deputies responded to a call about a possible child abduction in Palm Coast, Florida Jolt reports. At the scene, the boy's mother told deputies that her boyfriend and the child's father—Brandon Leohner, 27—had kidnapped and fled with his son.

Authorities spotted Leohner driving recklessly and tried unsuccessfully to pull him over. He finally stopped inside a shopping plaza and got out of the car, carrying the boy.

Leohner fled on foot, but deputies were able to catch up with him. In a confrontation near a McDonald's drive-thru, Leohner used his son as a shield to prevent deputies from using a Taser.

After Leohner refused orders to let go of the boy, a deputy was able to get in position and fire a Taser at the suspect. Leohner immediately fell to the ground, and the child was quickly picked up by a deputy.

Leohner continued to struggle with deputies, and a K-9 was used to help subdue him. During an investigation, deputies retrieved a Glock pistol Leohner allegedly tossed from his vehicle while being pursued.

“Here is a case of a domestic situation turning violent, putting a 1 year old child and innocent drivers in danger," Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. "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.”

Leohner was charged with kidnapping, using a minor as a shield, resisting an officer with violence, child neglect and fleeing and eluding.