Man Charged with Kidnapping St. Louis Park Baby

A Ramsey, MN, man accused of abducting a 1-year-old girl last week in St. Louis Park, which prompted authorities to issue an Amber Alert, has been charged with kidnapping and domestic assault.  

George Jermaine Rutledge, 31, is charged with felony kidnapping of a minor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine. He is also charged with domestic assault by strangulation, a felony with a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by St. Louis Park Police Officer Aaron Balvin, police were called to a home in the 1300 block of Jersey Avenue just after 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 on a report of a domestic assault and a kidnapping.

The mother of the 1-year-old kidnapping victim told police that she used to date Rutledge, the child’s father, and she has full custody of the child. She said she and the child were with Rutledge earlier in the day, and they began arguing.

On their way back to the woman’s apartment, she told police, Rutledge said, “Before I let you get [the child] back, I will kill both of us.” When they arrived, Rutledge began to drink heavily, and he became violent, pushing the woman onto the couch, putting his hands around her neck and strangling her, according to the complaint.

Rutledge then grabbed the child and fled the apartment in his car, taking the woman’s cell phone and purse with him, she told police.

When police were unable to locate Rutledge immediately, they issued an Amber Alert, fearing he would flee Minnesota.

Investigators traced the woman’s stolen cell phone to Anoka County, and found several people who said they had seen Rutledge in the area.

Police subsequently traced Rutledge to a home in Blaine where Rutledge’s girlfriend lived, according to the complaint. They found his car at the home, then found Rutledge and the abducted child inside.

Rutledge’s girlfriend said Rutledge had shown up with the child and told her that the baby’s mother was “in treatment.” When police searched his car, they found the victim’s purse and identification.

Rutledge remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $100,000 bond, and is also being held on two separate warrants charging him with various traffic offenses, DWI in a boat and a car and domestic abuse. He is scheduled to make a first appearance on the latest charges Nov. 14 in Hennepin County District Court.