A 23-year-old man was reportedly arrested on suspicion of child abuse after an incident at the Capital Mall on Saturday afternoon.
Jefferson City Police were called to the mall on Country Club Drive just before 4 p.m. on Saturday. Witnesses reported a man who was punching and kicking his 4-year-old daughter – several times before taking her and fleeing the scene.
Police were able to identify the suspect through video cameras. He was later tracked down with the child at a home in Jefferson City.
Police said that the girl had obvious, but minor injuries. She was taken into protective custody and the man was arrested.
His name has not been released.
Jefferson City police and the Department of Family Services are still investigating the circumstances.