Plain City man charged with kidnapping girlfriend's 3-year-old child

The child was found safe in Andrew Gonzalez's vehicle at a Meijer parking lot, police said.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 45-year-old Plain City man has been charged with kidnapping his girlfriend's 3-year-old child during an argument early in the morning on February 27. The woman told police that Gonzalez, who was highly intoxicated, took the child from a bedroom and put the child in his vehicle without the mother's permission. Columbus police later found the child unharmed in Gonzalez's vehicle in a Meijer parking lot, and Gonzalez was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping.

Why it matters

Kidnapping cases involving children are extremely serious and raise concerns about the child's safety and well-being. This incident highlights the need for greater awareness and prevention of domestic violence situations that can escalate and put vulnerable family members at risk.

The details

According to the police report, Andrew Reyes Gonzalez and the child's mother were having an argument around 2 a.m. on February 27 at their home in Plain City. During the argument, Gonzalez, who was highly intoxicated, took the 3-year-old child from a bedroom and put the child in his vehicle without the mother's permission. Gonzalez then left the home and refused to tell the mother where he was going. Columbus police officers located Gonzalez and the child about an hour later in the parking lot of a Meijer store, and the child was found unharmed in the front passenger seat of Gonzalez's vehicle. Gonzalez was then taken into custody and charged with kidnapping.

  • The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on February 27, 2026.
  • Columbus police found Gonzalez and the child in the Meijer parking lot at 2:53 a.m. on February 27, 2026.

The players

Andrew Reyes Gonzalez

A 45-year-old Plain City man who was charged with kidnapping his girlfriend's 3-year-old child during an argument.

The child's mother

The girlfriend of Andrew Gonzalez who reported that he had kidnapped her 3-year-old child during an argument.

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What they’re saying

“Gonzalez was 'highly intoxicated.' He left the home with the child and refused to tell the mother where he was.”

— The child's mother (dispatch.com)

What’s next

Gonzalez is expected to appear in court in the coming days for a bail hearing to determine if he will be released pending trial on the kidnapping charge.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of addressing domestic violence situations quickly and effectively to protect vulnerable family members, especially children. It also highlights the need for greater resources and support services to help prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.