Bradford man charged with kidnapping own child

Fled from Lake City  restaurant after mother agreed to public meeting.

Levasseur

Levasseur

A Bradford County man was arrested this weekend after turning a visit with his child into a kidnapping.

According to the Lake City Police Department, a woman agreed to let 23-year-old Thomas Levasseur, of Hampton, meet his child in a public place, choosing the Olive Garden on U.S. Highway 90 west.

The LCPD release states that during the visit, Levasseur — who has never established parental rights — forcibly took the child, fled the restaurant and drove away recklessly.

Several people who witnessed the kidnapping provided statements to the LCPD, which led to a warrant for Levasseur’s arrest.

Levasseur was located in Bradford County, arrested and transported to the Bradford County Jail on charges of kidnapping and cruelty toward a child.

The child was found safe and returned to the mother, according to LCPD.