LAKE CITY, Fla. — A Bradford County man was arrested on multiple charges over the weekend after being accused of kidnapping his child from their mother during a "disturbance" Saturday at a Lake City Olive Garden, according to the Lake City Police Department.
Thomas Levasseur, 23, faces charges of kidnapping and cruelty toward a child.
The police department said officers responded to the Olive Garden at 3072 West U.S. Hwy 90 in reference to a disturbance Saturday between Levasseur and a woman he had been in a relationship with.
The two had a child, but police said Levasseur had never established paternal rights with the state of Florida.
However, police say the mother had agreed to allow Levasseur to see his child in a public location.
"During the visit, the father (Levasseur) forcibly took the child, fled the restaurant with the child, entered a vehicle, and drove away in a reckless manner," the release states. "The incident was witnessed by several citizens who provided statements to the officers."
Levasseur was then located, arrested and taken into custody at the Bradford County Jail, according to the police department.
The child was found safe and returned to its mother.
