TOPEKA, Kan. — Christopher K. Barnshaw, a suspect wanted for kidnapping a 2-year-old child in Topeka, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Mattoon, Illinois.
The Mattoon Police Department received a tip on July 22 around 12:09 p.m. that Barnshaw might be within city limits. Barnshaw, who is also wanted in connection with a double murder case under the Topeka Police Department’s jurisdiction, was driving a white Lexus with Kansas license plate “4003AHF.”
At approximately 12:16 p.m., a Mattoon officer on a traffic stop spotted Barnshaw’s vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 16. The officer began following the Lexus, coordinating with other officers to safely stop the vehicle near the intersection of Route 16 and Beechtree Road in Charleston, Illinois.
Barnshaw was taken into custody without incident, and the missing child was found unharmed in the backseat of the vehicle. Police also recovered a firearm from Barnshaw.
He now faces charges of aggravated kidnapping and unlawful use of a weapon and is being held in the Coles County Jail.
The Topeka Police Department and Mattoon Police Department are cooperating on the ongoing investigation. Plans are underway to reunite the child with family members.
Authorities confirmed that two people were found deceased at the Topeka home where the child was reportedly abducted.
Stay tuned to wibw.com for further updates.
