Bryan Harris, a South End resident, was arrested by police on Friday. The 26-year-old Boston man was charged with Massachusetts unarmed robbery, parental kidnapping, larceny over $250, assault and battery, and a dangerous weapon unlawfully carried. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.
According to Boston police, a woman contacted police on Friday afternoon to report that Harris, her live-in boyfriend, had kidnapped their 1-year-old girl. She claims that she and Harris had gotten into a verbal dispute and when she asked him to leave he allegedly punched her face and shoved her into a closet.
The woman says that Harris then packed his clothes, stole her cell phone and debit card, and told her he was leaving the state with their daughter.
The authorities sent out an alert. Police later apprehended Harris on a Fung Wah bus on the Massachusetts Turnpike. The bus was going to New York. His daughter, Estrada, was with him. Harris surrendered to the cops.
Massachusetts Parental Kidnapping
Under state law, the kidnapping of a minor or incompetent by a relative is considered a crime that is punishable by a one-year maximum prison sentence and/or a $1,000 fine. If the child is endangered in the process or taken outside the commonwealth, a maximum 5-year prison sentence and/or a $5,000 fine is possible.
Man is arrested after allegedly fleeing with baby girl, The Boston Globe, June 25, 2010
Related Web Resource:
Parental Kidnapping Statutes, NDAA (PDF)
The General Laws of Massachusetts
At Altman & Altman, LLP, our Boston domestic violence defense lawyers would like to offer you a free consultation. The state of Massachusetts takes domestic violence-related criminal allegations seriously and a person convicted of such charges could end up in jail, be ordered to pay a fine, lose child custody or visitation rights, forfeit his/her right to own a firearm, or lose out on being considered for certain career opportunities. It is important that you have an experienced Boston criminal defense team fighting for you.