Brandon Man Tries Kidnapping 2 Girls From Church: Deputies

FISHHAWK, FL — A Brandon man tried to kidnap two girls from a church when they went there to get away from him, deputies said.

Thirty-seven-year-old David Daniels was arrested Sunday by Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies. Daniels faces charges of child abuse and false imprisonment of a child.

The two sisters were leaving Cherry's Bar and Grill in FishHawk at 6 p.m. Sunday when deputies said Davis told the girls he would walk with them.

Davis walked behind them as they rode their bicycles and tried to get away from him, according to the sherif's department. Deputies said he had repeatedly hit one of the girls on the head.

When the girls made it to a nearby church, they went inside, and he followed them in, Jessica Lang, HCSO spokesperson, said.

Davis told church members they were his girls, Lang said.

He then placed one of them in a headlock, according to deputies.

The girls mouthed, "Help me," to the church members, deputies said.

According to Lang, deputies arrested Daniels a short while later near the FishHawk church.

Hillsborough County Jail records said Davis remains in jail as of Wednesday with a $104,000 bond.