CARNESVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas credits his deputies, Lavonia officers and Franklin County E-9-1-1 dispatchers with the safe rescue of a 5-year-old boy who had been abducted by his father at gunpoint in Virginia.
Monday night, Franklin County officials were notified by dispatchers that the child had been abducted by his father, identified as David Eugene Brewster, and was in the Lavonia area driving a black 2003 Ford Expedition with a Tennessee temporary tag, Thomas said.
After his cell phone pinged off a local tower, deputies began checking all the hotels in the area.
The vehicle was observed in the rear of the building in the Hampton Inn parking lot.
Assisted by Lavonia police, deputies entered the hotel and requested the room number for the driver of the black vehicle, according to Thomas. The room was registered to David Brewster.
“Officers gained entry to the room and arrested David Eugene Brewster,” Thomas said. “Deputies also were able to rescue the child without further incident.”
The Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services was notified and met deputies at the Franklin County Detention Center with the child.
The child’s mother was contacted to pick up her son.
David Eugene Brewster was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and abduction by a parent removed from the state, Thomas said.
Brewster will be extradited to Virginia.
