MA Man Arrested In RI In Connection To Kidnapping Investigation

RICHMOND, RI — A Massachusetts man was arrested in Richmond in connection to a kidnapping investigation after Rhode Island State Police said he led officers on a chase with a child in the car.

Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, police in Southbridge, Massachusetts, urged state police t be on the lookout for a vehicle involved in a kidnapping in their town. State police said the vehicle was described as a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Massachusetts license plate that read 2MED54. State police said they also learned the Jeep was being operated by Seth Parenteau, 40, of Southbridge, MA.

According to state police, troopers saw the Jeep on Interstate 95 southbound in Providence and tried to pull Parenteau over, but he sped away. Parenteau continued south, at one point entering Connecticut before re-entering Rhode Island, state police said.

State police said they were eventually able to pull Parenteau over on Church Street in Richmond without incident.

Parenteau was placed into custody, evaluated at Westerly Hospital, and was later brought to Rhode Island State Police Headquarters. He was arraigned by a justice of the peace and was charged with eluding police, reckless driving, child endangerment, and obstruction.

Parenteau was held on $6,000 surety bail and, as of Monday, was being held at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. He has a bail review hearing scheduled at Fourth District Court on Tuesday.

The child was taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence for an evaluation before being released to a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

State police said Southbridge police are still investigating the potential kidnapping.

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