BRISTOL, Fla. – On Aug. 3, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was alerted to a kidnapping suspect traveling along U.S. 319 in Wakulla County. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Maurtez Rashaad Edwards of Macon, Georgia, was wanted for the aggravated kidnapping of his 2-month-old child.
At 4:35 p.m., FHP Trooper Norris and deputies from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to a new alert indicating that Edwards’ vehicle was heading westbound on State Roads 20 and 267 in Leon County, approaching Liberty County. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the suspect refused to pull over and accelerated, initiating a dangerous high-speed pursuit.Trooper Norris led the chase and attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver when conditions allowed. Edwards evaded the maneuver, reversed direction, and began traveling east on SR 20. Despite two additional PIT attempts, he continued driving erratically—brake-checking pursuing officers and varying his speed—posing an increasing risk to public safety.
As the pursuit entered Gadsden County, it became evident that Edwards was actively kidnapping the infant, showing reckless disregard for the child’s safety while reaching speeds of up to 92 miles per hour.
With coordinated efforts by FHP, LCSO, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Trooper Myers joined the pursuit and successfully executed a final PIT maneuver. When Edwards exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, LCSO deputies moved in. He then retrieved an AR-15 rifle hidden inside the vehicle and placed the barrel under his chin. Deputies engaged and safely disarmed him after a brief struggle.
Edwards subsequently abandoned the infant and fled on foot into a wooded area. He was quickly apprehended by Trooper Sanders and LCSO deputies.
Trooper Norris located the abducted infant, safely secured in a car seat carrier, with no visible injuries. Family members were notified and met the child at a hospital in Gadsden County, where he was reunited with his mother and grandmother.
“Our mission is to serve and protect the people of Florida, and this successful operation highlights what’s possible when state and local agencies work together,” said Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “I commend everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.”
“This incident highlights how important it is for the motoring public to stay alert to their surroundings and assist law enforcement,” said Colonel Gary Howze of the Florida Highway Patrol. “It demonstrates how Florida law enforcement agencies work together as force multipliers in our commitment to helping those in harm’s way, pursuing justice, and holding criminals accountable.”
“This was outstanding cooperation between multiple agencies,” said Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold. “I can’t say enough about the Florida Highway Patrol and the deputies and dispatchers here at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work.”
Maurtez Rashaad Edwards was booked into the Liberty County Jail and faces the following charges:
- Fleeing/Eluding with Disregard for Safety of Persons or Property (F.S. 316.1935.3a)
- Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (F.S. 784.07.2c)
- Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F.S. 784.07.2d)
- Cruelty Toward a Child Without Great Bodily Harm (F.S. 827.03.2c)
- Kidnapping of a Minor Confined Under Age 13 Without Parental Consent (F.S. 787.01.1b)
- Use or Display of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (F.S. 790.07.2)
# # #
email editor@
alachuatoday.com
Florida Highway Patrol Rescues Kidnapped Infant from Armed Fleeing Suspect
Tools
Typography
- Font Size
- Default
- Reading Mode