Sumter girl, 6, found safe; Father arrested for kidnapping

A 6-year-old Sumter County girl has returned home safely after police said she was kidnapped by her father.

Police said Chance Barfield tracked down his ex-girlfriend, Crystal Pettigrew, and the former couple’s two children to North Old Wire Road, in Wildwood.

According to investigators, Barfield, 25, tried to run over Pettigrew and the children with his truck.

Unsuccessful, he then grabbed his daughter, Karmen, and drove off.

That prompted an Amber Alert at around 2 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities eventually tracked down Barfield to a house in Volusia County, where they found his truck parked outside.

Inside, police said they found Barfield and his daughter hiding in the attic.

Police also arrested several other people, whom they said tried to help Barfield hide.

The other suspects were not immediately identified, but police said one of the people arrested was Barfield’s father.

“I tried to protect my son, yes,” said Charles Barfield. “He didn’t do nothing wrong. That’s his child.”

Karmen was taken to the Orange City police station, and was eventually returned home.

“The way everything went down from what I understand it's totally sick. He really wasn't in his right frame of mind,” said Donna Brook, neighbor.

“[I’m] happy to see a good ending out of it because a lot of time with kids it doesn't work out that way,” said Scottie Hogans, neighbor.

A family friend said the little girl has been doing OK since returning home.

“She's good.  She's in high spirits, she's happy.  I got word from the detectives here she has been superb, very cooperative, in good spirits,” said Robbin Mayfield, relative.

“She appears to be in good health,” said police spokesman Jason Sampsell. “We turned the cartoons on, got her a Happy Meal, and everything seems to be fine.”

Police said Pettigrew, 24, secretly moved to Wildwood, hoping her ex-boyfriend would not find them.

“He’s beaten me up numerous times, and he’s very violent,” she told a 911 dispatcher. “He used to beat me in front of the kids. So I tried to stay away from him, and he’s gotten my kids before and hid them from me so I couldn’t find them.”

Authorities said Barfield reached out to a relative, begging for information on where his children were.

The relative eventually told him.

Police said Barfield has a criminal history, including robbery and drug charges.

Authorities said he faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault and kidnapping.