Crime & Safety
Mother Pepper Sprayed Foster Parents, Fled With Sons: Manatee Sheriff
A mother who took her biological sons from their foster parents and fled Florida was found in Georgia, the Manatee County sheriff said.
MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A mother who took her biological sons from their foster parents and fled the state was found Monday in Peach County, Georgia, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Lachina Cropes, 40, who was taken into custody by the Georgia State Patrol, was arrested on charges out of Manatee County for interference of child custody and two counts of battery.
She pepper sprayed the foster parents before leaving a home on Rye Wilderness Trail in Bradenton Sunday just after 5 p.m. with her sons, Isaiah Israel, 10, and David Israel, 8, the sheriff's office said.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Cropes doesn't have custodial rights to the children and she took them without permission.
The children, who were safe and unharmed during the incident, are in the process of being returned to foster care in Manatee County, the sheriff’s office said.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
