Toddler Found, Man Arrested Following Brutal Killing
Child's mother beaten to death with bat
Monday, Jul 13, 2009 | Updated 5:52 AM PDT
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Bay Area drivers are being asked to be on the look out for a 2007 gold and silver Honda. License plate 5XAT527
A 1-year-old girl has been safely recovered and her 27-year-old father is in custody after he took her after allegedly beating her mother to death in Novato Sunday night, a police sergeant said today.
James Raphael Mitchell Jr. was taken into custody around midnight and the child, Samantha Mitchell, was found and determined to be unharmed, Sgt. Jennifer Welch said.
Police sources have confirmed to NBC Bay Area that the suspect and child were found in Citrus Heights.
James Mitchell Jr., 27, is suspected of beating the woman several times with a baseball bat, and then leaving with the child. The child's grandmother told reporters that Mitchell is the son of one of the Mitchell brothers who were well-known strip club owners and porn pioneers in San Francisco.
Claudia Stevens said her daughter had a restraining order against Mitchell Jr.
Mitchell threatened to kill any law enforcement agents who came into contact with him, according to the police department.
Police found the woman dead in a back yard when they responded to a call about a possible assault at a residence on Diablo Court in Novato just before 7 p.m., Lt. Dave Jeffries said.
Mitchell has two guns registered in his name and was described by police as armed and dangerous.
An Amber Alert was issued for the girl, but was canceled at about 12:15 a.m.
