DES MOINES, Iowa — A man is in custody after allegedly kidnapping a 4-year-old girl Sunday afternoon, Des Moines police said in a press release.
36-year-old Duane VanDenHemel faces the following charges:
- Kidnapping - 1st Degree
- Burglary - 1st Degree
- Violation Of A No Contact/Protective Order
Police responded to a report of a kidnapping at a home on E. Aurora Avenue just before 2:40 p.m. Sunday.
When they arrived, officers learned VanDenHemel had allegedly forced his way into the home while armed with a machete-style knife. VanDenHemel's 4-year-old daughter, who he is legally prohibited from contacting, lives in the house.
VanDenHemel allegedly threatened the child's mother and "forcibly removed" his daughter from the house, according to the press release.
Police stopped VanDenHemel's car near E. 27th Street and E. University Avenue less than 10 minutes later. Officers detained VanDenHemel without incident. However, the child was not in the car.
Police eventually located the girl at the home of one of VanDenHemel's relatives, less than 15 minutes after the incident began, according to the press release. The child has since been reunited with her mother.
VanDenHemel is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.