Father on the run surrenders in Wayne
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 3, 2008 11:02 AM
A man accused of abducting his 2-year-old daughter from a Massachusetts day care center, setting off a statewide Amber Alert in North Carolina on Friday, is being held without bond in the Wayne County Jail.
Joel Brown, 43, whom authorities said lives on South Herman Street, turned himself in to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Friday, shortly after the alert was issued. Justice Rose Brown was expected to be returned to her mother, Brown's ex-wife, Robin Brown.
A hearing will be held Monday in Wayne County court to determine whether he will oppose extradition to Massachusetts, where he could face a kidnapping charge as well as assault charges. Authorities said Brown assaulted his ex-wife before taking the girl about 5:30 p.m.
Brown allegedly took the girl from his estranged wife's car outside a day care center in Chicopee, Mass., on Wednesday evening. Boston news reports said Massachusetts and New York state police would not issue an Amber Alert late that night despite a request by Chicopee police but that North Carolina authorities issued the alert early Friday.
Brown reportedly spoke with law enforcement officers by telephone late Thursday, telling them that he had not kidnapped his daughter and that he had a right to custody.
Reports said he described the situation as a "he said, she said," situation.
Lawmen advised him to turn himself and the girl in immediately to local authorities.