Bryan County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 24-year-old Ellabell resident and registered sex offender Daniel Riggs on Tuesday night, hours after he allegedly kidnapped his 4-year-old stepdaughter from her grandparents’ house in Rincon.
Last week, Riggs and his wife were allegedly engaged in a physical domestic dispute at their Ellabell home that left her with a broken arm and severe bruises. She was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and her father and stepmother took temporary custody of the child.
Gary Reynolds and his granddaughter were at his home in Rincon when Riggs reportedly let himself in and grabbed the child despite her protest. Reynolds, who is disabled, was unable to stop him, police said.
“We were extremely concerned for her safety due to his violent nature,” said Rincon Police Chief David Schofield. Riggs’ sex offender status also worried authorities.
The Rincon police department alerted surrounding counties and sent out an Amber Alert. About two hours after the kidnapping and 10 minutes after the Amber Alert, Bryan County deputies found Riggs and the child traveling along a street in Pembroke.
“When we got the call, my deputies knew right where to look for him,” said Bryan County Sheriff Clyde Smith. “Sure enough, we got him.”
The child was found unharmed and Schofield said he doesn’t know why Riggs kidnapped his stepdaughter.
Riggs is now at the Bryan County jail, where he faces charges for felony probation violation and aggravated battery.
Riggs is a registered sex offender in Bryan County stemming from a 2002 statutory rape charge. He was on felony probation from a prior theft by receiving stolen property offense.
Once Bryan County police have finished charging him, Riggs will extradited to Effingham County to face charges of burglary and kidnapping, according to authorities.
Last week, Riggs and his wife were allegedly engaged in a physical domestic dispute at their Ellabell home that left her with a broken arm and severe bruises. She was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and her father and stepmother took temporary custody of the child.
Gary Reynolds and his granddaughter were at his home in Rincon when Riggs reportedly let himself in and grabbed the child despite her protest. Reynolds, who is disabled, was unable to stop him, police said.
“We were extremely concerned for her safety due to his violent nature,” said Rincon Police Chief David Schofield. Riggs’ sex offender status also worried authorities.
The Rincon police department alerted surrounding counties and sent out an Amber Alert. About two hours after the kidnapping and 10 minutes after the Amber Alert, Bryan County deputies found Riggs and the child traveling along a street in Pembroke.
“When we got the call, my deputies knew right where to look for him,” said Bryan County Sheriff Clyde Smith. “Sure enough, we got him.”
The child was found unharmed and Schofield said he doesn’t know why Riggs kidnapped his stepdaughter.
Riggs is now at the Bryan County jail, where he faces charges for felony probation violation and aggravated battery.
Riggs is a registered sex offender in Bryan County stemming from a 2002 statutory rape charge. He was on felony probation from a prior theft by receiving stolen property offense.
Once Bryan County police have finished charging him, Riggs will extradited to Effingham County to face charges of burglary and kidnapping, according to authorities.