Pembrokes Pines dad accused of kidnapping own son sues Ohio police and officials
A Pembroke Pines father has filed a federal lawsuit against police in Maple Heights, Ohio, claiming he was wrongfully arrested and jailed for more than a month after being accused of kidnapping his own son.
The 41-year-old father filed the complaint Oct. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleging false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and fabrication of evidence, among other claims.
The lawsuit names the City of Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County and several officials, including a police officer and two assistant prosecutors. The Pembroke Pines News reached out to the defendants for comment on the lawsuit Nov. 5 but did not immediately receive a response.
According to court documents, the father had legal custody of his 5-year-old son, who had lived in Florida since birth. The filing states that the boy’s mother left Florida in December 2023, then the dad traveled to Ohio to pick up his son from the child’s grandmother’s home on July 8, 2024, after reaching an agreement with the boy’s mother for the child to return with him to Florida.
That same day, Maple Heights police charged the dad with kidnapping, abduction and interference with custody, according to the lawsuit. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody in Broward County three days later.
Court filings show the dad remained in the Broward County jail until Aug. 9, 2024, when he was extradited to Ohio. He was held in the Cuyahoga County jail until he posted a $100,000 bond, then on Oct. 28, 2024, prosecutors dismissed all charges against the man, according to the filing.
The lawsuit says he was in jail for over a month.
According to court documents, the child’s grandmother and aunt went to the police department and indicated that the accused dad had legal custody of the boy and that the child’s mother had given him permission to take the boy.
The lawsuit alleges that Maple Heights officials pursued the charges without probable cause, despite evidence that the father had permission to bring his son to Florida. The dad is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from the “wrongful arrest and imprisonment,” the filing says.
Jed Chedid, the man’s attorney, told the Pembroke Pines News that they have not yet received a response about the lawsuit from the city of Maple Heights or Cuyahoga County and expect to serve them within the next week.
“(My client) came out of the system extremely traumatized by the series of events,” Chedid told the Pembroke Pines News on Nov. 5. “He’s a very cognizant man, and the reality is, he was charged with a first-degree felony kidnapping, and he was stuck in the Broward County Jail.”
Chedid added that his client is a police officer by trade and that the ordeal has taken a significant emotional and professional toll.
“Having a first-degree felony...is the highest charge hanging over your head...all because you brought your son and got him some medical treatment down in Florida after you had permission to do so, it’s just a crazy situation,” Chedid said.
Chedid added that his client is a bit of a celebrity, having previously appeared on A&E’s “60 Days In,” and he’s also involved in a separate lawsuit against the City of Cleveland. That case alleges the city destroyed his vehicle while it was being held for investigation.
“It’s like he’s fighting for his life out here,” Chedid said.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM.
