Colorado dad sought on McMinn County, Tenn., warrants in custody, son safe

The Colorado dad being sought on charges including kidnapping and domestic assault who disappeared Monday after picking his young son up at a McMinn County, Tenn., school is in custody.

McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said in an email that 29-year-old Jared Lackey was taken into custody in Lea County, N.M., by U.S. Marshals and the child, 7-year-old Kaden Lackey, is safe and being reunited with his mother.

Guy said he had no new details to release for now. Lackey of Colorado Springs, was wanted on warrants issued for his arrest in connection with an incident that happened over the weekend, Guy said this week.

In the weekend incident, Lackey "forced his estranged wife and family into a vehicle and threatened to take them to California," Guy said. In addition to the kidnapping and domestic assault charges, Lackey also is charged with interfering with 911.

On Monday, Lackey picked up his son from Etowah City School and vanished. Guy said this week that Lackey didn't violate the law in taking his son from school.

"He had the right to take his son, because he and the mother are married and both have equal rights to the son. There were no court orders diminishing his right," Guy said. There is an active order of protection against Lackey, as well, the sheriff said.

Guy said Tuesday that Lackey, originally from McMinn County, has no known criminal record.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1 on Facebook.

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