California Dad Beats Up Alleged Kidnapper

AUBURN, CA -- A California family is recovering Wednesday after they said a man tried to kidnap their 3-year-old daughter. Rather than just calling police, however, the patriarch of the family did something other parents have applauded: He beat up the alleged kidnapper.

Authorities said the incident happened last Saturday at North Auburn’s Regional Park when Yonel Hernandez Velasco, 26, of Auburn, went up to the toddler.

"He took her hand and started skipping through the grass. The girl’s mother and boyfriend were with their dog nearby and yelled for the man to stop," Placer County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. "The boyfriend confronted Hernandez Velasco and told him to let go of the girl, which he did. But as Hernandez Velasco began acting aggressively toward the boyfriend, the girl’s father ran up from a nearby apartment."

The father, identified as Fred Cantrell Jr., approached Hernandez Velasco, who punched Cantrell in the face.

"He came back at the father again, and he was again punched in the face. Hernandez Velasco fell to the ground and remained there until deputies and medical aid arrived," sheriff's officials said.

Prior to the incident, a group of boys playing basketball said Hernandez Velasco tried to buy their basketball and warned them that he "he could handcuff one of them and drag them into the pond."

Hernandez Velasco was transported to the hospital for medical clearance and then taken to the Auburn Jail. A blood sample was drawn to determine if the suspect was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was booked on charges of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted kidnapping. He remains in custody and his bail is set at $1.2 million

Meanwhile, the family is working toward moving on from the horrifying incident. Cantrell told KTXL when he tucked his daughter in at night, she said "I love you, Daddy. Don't ever let me go."

"That right there crushed my heart," said an emotional Cantrell.

--Booking photo of Yonel Hernandez-Velasco via Placer County Sheriff's Office

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