Kidnapped child recovered safely, father detained
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE 1/17/2020 4:00 p.m. Police said they got the 1-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped by her father.
The child's biological grandmother was brought in to help with negotiations, and the child was given to her.
The father, who is suspected of kidnapping her, has been detained.
UPDATE 1/17/2020 1:30 p.m. Police said negotiations are underway with Brian Sellen, the suspect in his 1-year-old daughter's kidnapping.
Chief Andy Mills said they have a visual on both.
UPDATE 1/17/2020 12:13 p.m. Police have an apartment surrounded where they believe a man accused of kidnapping his child is staying.
Officers have the apartment complex and are trying to make contact with anyone there to get the child back.
Brian Sellen is accused of kidnapping his one-year-old daughter at the Beachview Inn on Front Street Friday morning.
At around 5 a.m., police revieved a domestic violence call, and when they arrived, they found an injured woman who said her child had been kidnapped by the father. She was taken to a Salinas hospital.
Officers searched the area around the inn, including yards and car trunks, but said dogs tracked him to an apartment. They believe he has friends in that area who may be helping him.
Police would not comment on Sellen's criminal history, but said he is estranged from the victim.
A warrant has been issued for Sellen's arrest and police have a search warrant for the location where they believe he is staying. He is facing kidnapping, child endangerment and domestic violence charges.
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Details are limited, but if you see Brian Sellen (pictured), police ask that you call 911 immediately. They say Sellen should be accompanied by a one-year-old child.
Police believe the suspect is still in the area, and officers are searching streets nearby. One of the child's articles of clothing was found nearby on Second and Main.
Sellen is the father of the child, and police said he took her from the Beachview Inn on Front Street.
No Amber Alert has been issued because there is no vehicle to identify. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is assisting with the investigation.
