Manassas Man Abducted His Son, Fled From Cops: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A father from Manassas faces several charges after authorities said he assaulted his wife, abducted their child, and fled from police officers.

The suspect's wife, a 35-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries. Their child, a 1-year-old, was not injured and has been returned to his mother.

Police identified the man as 26-year-old Christopher Puello. He is charged with 1 count of abduction, 1 count of child endangerment, 1 count of burglary, 2 counts of violating a protective order, and 1 count of domestic assault and battery.

Puello's court date is pending and he is being held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center.

The incident began around 10:45 p.m. on Manassas at a home in the 7600 block of Stuart Court in Manassas, the Prince William County Police Department said. Officers learned that Puello and his wife had an argument that escalated and he assaulted her.

Later in the evening, Puello returned to the home and left with the couple's 1-year-old son. Police said a protective order prohibited Puello from having any contact with the victim or their child.

Police officers said they saw Puello's vehicle near Prince William Parkway and Telegraph Road. The officers attempted to stop Puello, but he sped away, according to the police report. Officers did not chase him because they believed the 1-year-old may have been in the vehicle.

On Sunday, Puello turned himself in at a police station. He gave the child to police, who reunited him with his mother, authorities said.

There are a number of resources available to victims of domestic abuse in Virginia. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be found at 1-800-799-7233. Virginia's family violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-838-8238.