N.C. man allegedly broke into home, beat up family member, kidnapped 4-year-old daughter
10/10/2023 1:36 pm PDT
DURHAM, N.C. (TCD) -- A 37-year-old father recently turned himself in after allegedly kidnapping his 4-year-old daughter over the weekend.
According to the Durham Police Department, on Saturday, Oct. 7, Mitchell Grayson allegedly broke into a residence in the 800 block of Angier Avenue and beat up one of his daughter’s family members before abducting the child, Paisley Grayson.
Police issued an Amber Alert for Paisley, stating that her father had fled the scene in a gray 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van. He reportedly threatened to take the young girl out of state, but police believed he could have traveled to Wilkes County.
On Monday, Oct. 9, police said Grayson turned himself in and was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, breaking and entering, and injury to personal property.
According to WRAL-TV, Grayson brought Paisley with him when he surrendered, and she appeared unharmed.
Grayson told the news source he took his daughter because he was concerned for her safety and said, "They had her locked in an apartment for like three days."
He said he was "worried about her," which is why he took her.
WRAL reports Grayson argued the place from where she was taken is "not really her home. Her home is with me. She got taken from me."
Grayson reportedly brought Paisley to the mountains in the Wilkesboro area, and they tie-dyed shirts and played in a park.
Grayson’s grandmother reportedly gave him access to the building. A cousin of Paisley’s mother allegedly tried to stop him, so Grayson punched the family member.
In a phone interview with WRAL, Grayson said he saw the Amber Alert and decided to surrender because investigators told him that was the only way he’d be able to see his daughter again.
Grayson appeared in court on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and was given a $25,000 bond.
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