GA Man Accused Of Kidnapping Baby Arrested In FL Chase

MACON, GA — A Georgia man accused of kidnapping his 2-month-child was arrested recently after a multi-county police chase in Florida, where authorities say the suspect was driving 92 mph with the infant in the car.

The Florida Highway Safety Patrol on Tuesday said authorities were first alerted that kidnapping suspect Maurtez Rashaad Edwards, a 23-year-old Macon resident, was traveling along U.S. 319 in Wakulla County (Florida) around 4 p.m. Sunday.

Edwards was sought in Georgia after he was accused in the aggravated kidnapping of his 2-month-old child, authorities said.

Thirty minutes after the first notice, authorities said a Florida trooper and Liberty County (Florida) deputies responded to a new alert that told them Edwards' vehicle was traveling west on State Route 20 and State Route 267 in Leon County, heading toward Liberty County.

Authorities said they tried to conduct a traffic stop, but Edwards refused to comply and instead accelerated, leading to a police chase.

The trooper led the chase, attempting to pit Edwards' vehicle, authorities said. Edwards stayed in control and reversed his direction, going east on State Route 20, authorities said.

Two more attempts to stop Edwards were made, but authorities said he continued driving erratically and "brake-checking officers" while varying his speed.

The chase then went from Leon to Gadsden County (Florida), where authorities said "it became clear that Edwards was not only wanted for kidnapping but was actively kidnapping his infant child, displaying no regard for his child’s safety while reaching speeds of up to 92 miles per hour."

The Florida trooper was able to successfully force Edwards' vehicle to a stop, after which authorities said Edwards tried to flee the vehicle.

When deputies intervened, authorities said Edwards retrieved an AR-15 rifle that had been hidden in the vehicle and put the barrel under his chin.

A brief struggle ensued, and Leon County deputies disarmed him, authorities said.

He was then accused of leaving his child and running into a wooded area, where authorities said they apprehended him.

The child, who was secured in a car seat, was not injured during the incident and was reunited with his mother and grandmother at a Gadsden County hospital, authorities said.

Edwards was arrested on charges of fleeing/elude while disregard of safety to persons or property, aggravated assault on officer, aggravated battery on officer, cruelty toward child without great bodily harm, kidnap minor confined child under 13 years of age without consent of parent and use/display firearm during commission of a felony, authorities said. He was booked into the Liberty County Jail, authorities said.

“Our mission is to serve and protect the people of Florida, and this successful operation highlights what’s possible when state and local agencies work together,” Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said in a news release. “I commend everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.”

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