A quick-thinking medical center employee is credited with helping speed the capture of a kidnap suspect earlier this week.
Rachna Prasad was working her parking structure shift on Sunday evening when she noticed the driver she was giving change to had a little girl laying unsecured on the seat next to him. Sensing something was amiss, Prasad contacted UC Davis police and provided them with a description of the man and his vehicle.
Within minutes of being driven away, the little girl was the subject of a Code Rainbow – the medical center's child abduction alert system. The suspect, 23-year-old Jason Bentsen, had left the hospital with his 20-month-old daughter after apparently removing her security bracelet in her room on the pediatric floor.
While Bentsen had visitation privileges with his daughter, the youngster was under custody of El Dorado County's Child Protective Services.
The abduction prompted UC Davis police to issue an Amber Alert, and within two-and-a-half hours, Bentsen was caught along Highway 50, apparently headed to his South Lake Tahoe home.
Authorities say Prasad’s description of the suspect's vehicle proved a key factor in being able to quickly and successfully locate Bentsen and his daughter.
Health System officials also had praise for Prasad. They plan to recognize her with a $2,000 award for her outstanding service and a job well done. |
