A homeless man was jailed Monday afternoon and charged with interference with the custody of a child following a series of events earlier in the day.
According to information in court documents, Ryan Frasnelli, 41, lost custody of his daughter in a court proceeding on Monday morning. That order came down from Schuylkill County Judge James Goodman.
Goodman ruled that the child was to remain in the custody of the mother until a future court date.
In events witnessed by The Canary in the Schuylkill County Courthouse parking lot, Frasnelli exited the Courthouse in a huff and got into a brief verbal altercation with Schuylkill County employees, blaming them and calling them “vultures.”
Frasnelli then fled to a Penske box truck parked on Sanderson St. There were concerns expressed at the scene that the child whose custody was at stake in court this morning, was inside the vehicle. The vehicle then fled the scene and prompted a response from the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office and Pottsville Bureau of Police.
In their affidavit, police say Frasnelli’s cell phone pinged in the area of Cressona Mall and when they arrived, the Penske box truck was located near the gas pumps at the GIANT grocery store.
Frasnelli was then seen exiting the grocery store with a teenage girl, later identified as his child. He was taken into custody without incident, police say.
Frasnelli was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge James Reiley on Monday afternoon and charged with a single felony count of interference with the custody of a child. Reiley set bail at $25,000 cash and remanded Frasnelli to Schuylkill County Prison.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...