PALATKA, Fla. – The man who kidnapped a woman and her young children, then led authorities on a multi-county police pursuit, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.
Michael McNeal, 37, was found guilty of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude, two counts of culpable negligence, and false imprisonment and burglary.
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The pursuit happened on March 3 after St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies spotted a car near Interstate 95 and State Road 207 that was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of a woman and her two kids in Broward County.
McNeal immediately sped off, hitting over 130 mph on the highway to evade deputies.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit before the car crashed on North Highway 17 near Comfort Road, causing the man to ditch the victims and run off.
The SJSO Air Unit responded to the scene and used a thermal camera to find McNeal hiding inside a dump truck before he was taken into custody.
The mother had injuries from being beaten and choked, according to the SJSO. The children were unharmed, but were not secured in a child seat or seatbelts.
“The defendant is a dangerous individual who put the lives of a woman and her two small children in jeopardy,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after the sentencing. “I am grateful that our victims survived and for the substantial prison sentence. Folks who play with the lives of a mother and her children deserve the harshest of punishments.