Infant safe, kidnapping
suspect in custody after
pursuit in Liberty County
from FHP and LCSO
LIBERTY COUNTY, FL – On the afternoon of Sunday, August 3, a multi-agency law enforcement effort led to the safe recovery of a kidnapped infant and the apprehension of an armed suspect following a high-speed pursuit through Liberty and Gadsden Counties.
The incident began when Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call from a vigilant citizen, who recognized a vehicle matching the description from an active AMBER Alert issued out of Bibb County, Georgia. The caller remained on the line with dispatch, providing real-time updates that enabled deputies to quickly locate the silver Ford F-150 associated with the abduction.
When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect fled, prompting a pursuit through rural Liberty County. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers were immediately notified and joined the effort to intercept the vehicle.
An FHP sergeant attempted an initial Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to end the pursuit safely, though the attempt was unsuccessful. As the pursuit continued into Gadsden County, more FHP units joined Liberty County deputies in strategic coordination. Once it was confirmed that a seven-month-old infant was inside the fleeing vehicle, law enforcement adjusted their tactics to prioritize the child’s safety.
As the pursuit approached the T-intersection of Flat Creek Road and Bonnie Hill Road in Gadsden County, a Florida State Trooper executed a slow-speed PIT maneuver. This action successfully disabled the suspect’s vehicle and brought the pursuit to an end. However, the suspect then drove forward and rammed an FHP sergeant’s vehicle in a final act of aggression.
When deputies and troopers approached the disabled vehicle, the suspect was observed placing the barrel of an AR-15-style rifle into his mouth. Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant William “Bucky” Buckhalt and K9 Deputy Robert Livingston quickly moved in to de-escalate the situation. A physical struggle ensued over the suspect’s gun as Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant William Buckhalt and K9 Deputy Robert Livingston wrestled the weapon from the suspect, who briefly escaped and fled on foot into a wooded area. The suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter by a combined team of deputies and troopers.
Inside the suspect’s vehicle, deputies and troopers located the abducted infant, who was evaluated on-scene by emergency medical personnel. Fortunately, the child was unharmed and has since been reunited with family members. Several law enforcement officers sustained minor injuries during the physical altercation, and one FHP vehicle sustained front-end damage. No officers required hospitalization.
The suspect – who was identified as Maurtez Rashaad Edwards, 23, of the Macon, GA area – was transported to the Liberty County Jail. He faces multiple charges in Florida, including:
- Fleeing and eluding law enforcement
- Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer
- Child endangerment
- Resisting arrest with violence
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Additional charges are anticipated from Bibb County, GA, related to the original AMBER Alert and abduction.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol commend the outstanding cooperation and professionalism of all agencies involved, including the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Dispatchers, Florida Highway Patrol Dispatchers, US Marshals and the 2nd Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. This incident highlights the critical importance of multi-agency coordination, vigilant citizens, and the decisive actions of law enforcement in protecting the most vulnerable.
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