Dad Fights Off Kidnappers, Saves Daughter

Incident took place following violent home invasion in Manchester, NH

A father in Manchester, New Hampshire, was forced to fight for his two-year-old child during a violent home invasion.

Police tracked down one of the three suspects, but are asking for the public's help in finding the other people involved.

Manchester Police Lt. Brian O'Keefe says three men held one man at knifepoint inside his Douglas Street apartment while the other two suspects ransacked the home.

"On the way out the door, one of the assailants grabbed his two-year-old child and tried to get in a vehicle in the driveway," Lt. O'Keefe said.

He says that's when the father ran after the suspects and fought to get his child back.

"The child thankfully was unscathed," Lt. O'Keefe said. "God knows what could have happened to the child had the child been abducted, where they would have taken the child, or what they could have done."

It all happened Wednesday night around 6:30 p.m..

By Thursday evening, police had tracked down the suspect who they say snatched the child.

Willy Valentin, 29, of Nashua was arrested in North Andover, Massachusetts, on robbery and kidnapping charges.

Lt. O'Keefe says it's unknown right now if the victims and the suspects know one another, or the motive behind trying to kidnap the child.

"I think once the investigation is complete we will be able to reveal more of the reasons behind this crime," O'Keefe said.

Manchester residents are alarmed by the nature of the crime, but not at all surprised by the father's instinct to protect his child.

"I think I would've done the same," said neighbor Robert Hill. "No doubt."

New father Dylan Butler agreed.

"I have a kid myself, I personally wouldn't life it and I would go hog wild too," Butler said.

Valentin is still in Massachusetts.

Manchester Police say once he is extradited to New Hampshire, he could face additional charges.

If you have any information on this case, Manchester Police want to hear from you. 

Contact Us