A harrowing ordeal unfolded in Madison this weekend when a mother and her child narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping in a church parking lot. According to reports obtained by WKRN, the incident took place at the Abundant Life Living Word Church located in the 1100 block of Cheyenne Boulevard on Sunday.

The mother was in the process of getting her three-year-old son out of her car when she was confronted by the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Javaunn Brown. In an arrest affidavit cited by WSMV, the woman claimed Brown made small talk about nearby apartments before demanding her car keys. As she began calling for help, Brown allegedly climbed into the backseat, attempting to pull her son from the car.

Brown reportedly threatened to blow up the church and claimed he worked for the president, as per a statement obtained by WKRN. The scene escalated when church members came outside to intervene, prompting Brown to flee. Police were alerted to a burglary alarm at the Nashville Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Church next door, where they found Brown partially inside a church van before he ran towards a wooded area.

A pursuit ensued, leading to an unoccupied home on Gilead Court, where law enforcement, having received permission from a realty company, found the suspect hiding in the attic. According to Siracusa Arte e Cultura, Brown was taken into custody and charged with attempted kidnapping, robbery, and a particularly aggravated escape attempt.

Brown remains behind bars, with a bond set at $71,500. He faces serious charges, including especially aggravated attempted kidnapping, robbery, and evading arrest. The community of Madison remains in shock following the distressing events, with relief that the mother and child made a safe escape from what could have been a devastating outcome.