FLAGLER COUNTY, FL–
Police are reporting that after they located and cornered a father who is accused of stealing a child, the father used the child as a shield against them.
Investigators say they had been searching for 27-year-old Brandon Matthew Douglas Leohner since September 27th after he reportedly held his girlfriend at gunpoint and left the home with their 1-year-old child.
Authorities eventually caught up with Leohner who was spotted driving recklessly with the child on his lap on Belle Terre Parkway.
When authorities attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Leohner fled east onto State Road 100 before driving over the median and through oncoming traffic. He then turned into a Target plaza before driving to a McDonald’s parking lot.
Leohner then exited his vehicle, holding the child as a shield against his body.
After a short standoff, and officials repeatedly telling Leohner to put the child down, an officer deployed a Taser.
Leohner then falls to the ground as officers rush in to grab the child.
Despite being Tazed, Leohner continues to fight with officers. Officials chased Leohner through the parking lot until a K-9 was able to subdue him.
Leohner was transported to AdventHealth for treatment of his injuries before being booked at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
He is charged with kidnapping, using a minor as a shield, resisting with violence, child neglect, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving.
“Here is a case of a domestic situation turning violent, putting a 1-year-old child and innocent drivers in danger,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Deputies were confronted with a very chaotic situation and a very combative individual that was putting his child at risk by using the child as a shield. Our deputies did everything they could to quickly rescue this child safely from a madman and apprehend the suspect. Fortunately, the child was not hurt and was quickly reunited with his mother.”