A man faces kidnapping and child endangerment charges for allegedly assaulting a mother and taking her two children in Norwich on Sunday.
The suspect, 26-year-old Jonathan Driscoll, was identified as the father of one of the children taken during the incident, which was reported around 6:20 p.m. when police received an emergency call about a woman yelling for help in the area of Otis Street, according to the Norwich Police Department.
Responding officers were told by the woman that Driscoll had allegedly assaulted her and taken her two children, police said. He reportedly had no affiliation with the second child, according to police.
Police said they believed Driscoll was intoxicated and “manic” when he made “numerous threats regarding the safety of the children.” Officers tried to pull him over in a vehicle at one point, but he allegedly took off, police said. Officers did not pursue him.
During negotiations with Driscoll, he allegedly said he had a firearm, according to police. Police said the children were returned safely to their mother after a “lengthy investigation” and negotiations with Driscoll.
Driscoll was apprehended and charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor and a single count of first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and reckless driving.
Police also found that two different Connecticut State Police barracks had a warrant out for Driscoll’s arrest stemming from unrelated incidents. He was held on a $200,000 bond pending an arraignment hearing.
Police are encouraging anyone with information about the kidnapping incident to contact the shift commander at the Norwich Police Department at 860-886-5561.