Dad cuts off electronic tether; kidnaps and assaults mom (Whitmore Lake, Michigan)

Dad BRANDON JAY SMITH seems to have a history of domestic violence, since he was given an electronic tether after assaulting the mother of his two children in early December. Well Dad wasn't going to let a little thing like an electronic tether constrain his lifestyle, so he cut it off. Then he proceeded to kidnap the mom at knifepoint and assault her. She was found injured and suffering from hypothermia. Given that this is northern Michigan, it's amazing she didn't freeze to death.

http://www.annarbor.com/news/whitmore-lake-woman-found-injured-in-northern-michigan-after-police-say-she-was-kidnapped-by-father/

Missing Whitmore Lake woman found injured in northern Michigan; former boyfriend arrested
Posted: Today, 4 hours ago

A woman missing since a New Year's Day confrontation with the father of her children outside a Green Oak Township restaurant was found injured this morning in northern Michigan, police say.

Courtney Beard was injured and suffering from hypothermia when officers from the Antrim County Sheriff's Department found her at about 5:49 a.m., Green Oak Township police said. She was near a seasonal family residence on Alba Road east of US-131 that was known to Brandon Jay Smith, 23, the father of their two children, police said.

Police were searching for Brandon Smith and Courtney Beard.

Beard was taken from the scene by helicopter for treatment at a hospital in Gaylord, police said.

Her mother, Marion Beard, told Livingston County radio station WHMI 93.5 that Smith cut off an electronic tether he was wearing due to a domestic assault on their daughter in early December.

She told the radio station he kidnapped their daughter at knifepoint and forced her into a car before driving off from the parking lot of the Olive Garden where she worked Friday.

Smith was arrested at the seasonal residence and faces possible charges of kidnapping and assault, police said.

Marion Beard told the radio station the couple's children are staying with them and were never in any danger.

Police credited tips and leads with helping to find Beard and Smith. A statewide bulletin was issued last night, and officers from many departments searched for them.

Green Oak Township police said this morning that no further details are being released.