A 67-year-old Vernon man facing charges in connection with an attempted aggravated kidnapping and child abduction as well as a separate aggravated battery to a police officer charge has been found unfit to stand trial.
Judge Michael McHaney entered the order Tuesday in Marion County Court following a fitness report that indicated with treatment Ronnie Crawford of Burks Road could be fit to stand trial within a year. Crawford was placed into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services with the requirement they place him in a suitable secure inpatient treatment facility.
Crawford was charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping and child abduction after allegedly holding his arms out and attempting to lure a three-year-old child to his vehicle from the front yard of a home in the 7500 block of Farthing Road in Kinmundy last month. The mother screamed at the man when she saw what was happening and he fled from the area in his vehicle. The child apparently was never touched. He was also charged with violation of an order of protection, DUI, DUI/drugs, illegal transportation of liquor and unlawful use of adult use cannabis when his vehicle was eventually stopped in connection with the child abduction case.
Crawford is also being held for aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest after allegedly kicking the Patoka Police Chief in a July 20th incident.
Crawford is due back in court on October 18th for further proceedings.
