Perryville man accused of kidnapping 2-year-old remains at large

A Perryville, Missouri, man is accused of barging into an apartment Sunday in the 700 block of Winkler Drive, taking his 2-year-old granddaughter out of her mother's arms and driving off, saying he was going to California and telling the mother she never would see her daughter again.

Danny C. Keeton, 58, was taken into custody by Perry County sheriff's deputies when he tried to bring the 2-year-old to the child's biological father. Keeton was released Monday because Perryville police's 24-hour holding time expired before an arrest warrant was filed, according to Perryville police public information officer Jeri Cain.

Keeton remained at large as of Tuesday afternoon. The 2-year-old has been reunited with the mother.

Keeton has been charged with felony burglary, kidnapping and third-degree misdemeanor assault.

The mother of the child, who is Keeton's daughter-in-law, said she was sitting inside her apartment with her two children when she heard Keeton outside, yelling at the owner of the apartment complex he was coming to take his granddaughter, according to a probable-cause report filed by Perryville police officer Pete Unverferth.

The mother lives on a lower level and saw Keeton arguing with the owner as he approached her door.

Keeton pushed the apartment-complex owner against the front wall of the apartment, then gained entry through the front door, according to the report.

The mother said she picked up her 2-year-old daughter, and Keeton pulled the child away from her, the affidavit stated.

"As (Keeton) was leaving ... (he) made the comment he was taking (the child) and was leaving for California and would never see her again," Unverferth wrote.

The mother chased Keeton into the parking lot, and she reached inside his black Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck through the passenger window, according to the report. Keeton began to drive away, and the mother ended up with her torso inside the truck and her feet flailing out the window. She fell from the truck as Keeton drove away.

Keeton's bond is set at $25,000, cash only.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 700 block of Winkler Drive, Perryville, MO