Baby kidnapped from Olive Garden in Lake City, suspect arrested

LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB) – A baby was found safe and sound after being kidnapped from a Lake City restaurant on Saturday.

Lake City police officials said a mother took her baby to the Olive Garden restaurant on U.S. Highway 90 to meet her ex-boyfriend, Thomas Levasseur, 23.

During the visit, witnesses say, he forcibly took the baby, left the restaurant and drove away recklessly.

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Officers obtained an arrest warrant and Levasseur was located in Bradford County. The baby was found unharmed and returned to the mother.

Levasseur was charged with child abduction and child abuse.

Records show the baby was born while the mother and Levasseur were in a relationship, but he did not have parental rights. The mother has been arrested multiple times this year for domestic violence against Levasseur.

Levasseur is the nephew of Bradford County Commissioner Danny Riddick.

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