Man Accused Of Kidnapping Daughter Arrested, Baby Safe

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The Santa Cruz Police Department has arrested Brian Sellen, who is accused of kidnapping his one-year-old daughter near Front and 2nd streets on Friday morning, Chief Andrew Mills announced on Twitter. Daughter Mila Sellen was rescued, Mills said.

"This is why we choose this profession," he wrote. "It's a good day."

Police said he was in an apartment, in an area where his friends live. The apartment was surrounded, Mills told reporters, and police used a loudspeaker to communicate with him, according to a livestream posted by KION.

The incident stems from a 5 a.m. domestic violence call from a Santa Cruz hotel, Mills said during the press conference. Mila's mother was found injured and taken to a Salinas hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

A K-9 led them to the area where police were stationed, trying to speak with Sellen, Mills said.

Mila's mother and Sellen are estranged and he does not have parental rights, Mills told reporters. They are believed to be from Hollister.

Police were searching yard to yard in the area, Chief Andrew Mills said at 10:30 a.m.

In a tweet, mills thanked the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, Watsonville Police, Capitola Police, Scotts Valley Police, Santa Cruz Fire and University of California, Santa Cruz Police for their help in the case.