Man wanted in Lincoln County kidnapping arrested within an hour in Louisiana

Published 9:14 am Thursday, April 27, 2023

A man sought in connection with the kidnapping of a Lincoln County child has been arrested in Vidalia, Louisiana.

On Tuesday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a non-custodial parent visiting a child had taken the minor without permission and left.

As LCSO was in the process of issuing an Amber Alert, Vidalia Police Department contacted them saying they had the suspect in custody, according to Chief Deputy Johnny Hall Jr. From the time the child was taken until the parent was arrested was less than one hour, Hall said.

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The child has been returned safety to the mother.

Twenty-three-year-old Hashem Benyisrayl, of Hazlehurst, was arrested and charged with kidnapping. A woman with him, Makayla Hanselman of Georgia, was also arrested and charged with accessory.

The two are currently held in the Vidalia Jail and will be extricated to Lincoln County, Hall said.