Kidnapping Suspect Of 1-Year-Old Valrico Girl Identified: Sheriff

VALRICO, FL — DNA from a 26-year-old suspect who was facing burglary charges March 3 matches the DNA found in the stolen vehicle that had a 1-year-old Valrico girl sleeping inside it on Feb. 16, authorities said.

Rashad Mann is accused of driving away in an SUV that was unlocked while its engine was running while parked in a driveway at a Valrico house. The daughter of the family that lived in the house was asleep in the backseat, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. The suspect abandoned the vehicle 3 miles away at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church after leaving the house. The girl was left unharmed. Deputies found her in the backseat and returned her to her family.

“When Tinnley was found safe, I told you that was the best possible outcome, but our work wasn’t done yet,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “We needed to make sure her family received the justice they deserve and the person responsible was held accountable. We can now say, with the arrest of Rashad Mann, this is the best possible outcome.”

While Mann was in custody for the burglaries, detectives investigating the kidnapping had reason to believe that he may be connected to their case, police said. They collected DNA from Mann and sent it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to be compared to the DNA swabs that were collected from the stolen vehicle involved in the kidnapping. On March 15, the DNA came back as a match, deputies said.

Mann is also accused of being involved in six burglaries throughout the Hillsborough County area.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Mann was arrested on the following charges:

• Burglary of an unoccupied dwelling
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Criminal mischief
• Unlawful use of two-way communication device
• Burglary of occupied dwelling
• Grand theft third degree ($10,000-$20,000)
• Grand theft firearm
• Armed burglary of a dwelling
• Grand theft third degree ($750-$5,000) X2
• Felony petit theft
• Grand theft motor vehicle
• Kidnapping commit felony
• Child Abuse