A man was arrested Thursday in connection with the kidnapping of a 5-month-old boy from Vancouver.
Jaxon Smith was ordered into the custody of Washington Child Protective Services on Nov. 27. However, during the custody transfer, the boy’s father, Kasey McKernan, 31, assaulted an agency employee and snatched the child, police said.
He then reportedly fled with Jaxon in a black 1996 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck driven by the boy’s mother, Summer B. Smith, 36.
The pickup was later recovered by police.
Police arrested Michael Grant Fuller, 33, who faces possible charges of first-degree kidnap and rendering criminal assistance. Detectives are following leads on other individuals allegedly assisting the parents in eluding police.
During their investigation, police also arrested seven people on outstanding warrants and drug-related charges.
Ashlynd Delaplaine, 21, Eric L. Gross, 43, Russell Majerus, 25, Timothy Duke, 43, Michael Gloyd, 44, Ryan Bean, 37, and Richard W. Countryman, 33, were arrested as a result of contacts with leads.
The FBI is helping the Major Crimes Unit investigate.
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the boy and his parents and ask that anyone with information on their whereabouts call the Vancouver Police Department tip line at 360-487-7399.
