Toddler Grabbed From Mother, Kidnapper Charged: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis man reportedly choked a woman, then grabbed her toddler and car keys and drove off. The child was found unhurt a day later, say Annapolis Police, who have arrested the suspect on multiple charges, including assault and kidnapping.

Officers arrested Akili Arnold, 23, of Annapolis on Tuesday for first-degree assault. On Monday a woman reported that Arnold assaulted her, took her one-and-a half-year-old son and her vehicle and fled the area.

The woman reported that she and Arnold were inside a home in the 1900 block of Copeland Street when he became angry with her. Arnold reportedly took the woman’s cell phone and threw it to the ground, breaking it. The suspect then grabbed the woman, assaulted and choked her before he took the woman’s vehicle keys and her child from the home and left with the child in the vehicle, authorities say.

Investigators learned that Arnold took the child and the vehicle to a relative and the child was unharmed. Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Arnold, who was located on Tuesday and arrested.

Police charged Arnold with robbery, first- and second-degree assault, kidnapping, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, destruction of property, and theft. He is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center without bond.