Prosecutors are saying that not only did Erik Nardini flee a court order when he went on the run with his four-year-old daughter on Monday night, but he was also fleeing a $5000 bond given to him just that afternoon.
Assisting St. Clair County Prosecutor Josh Sparling told the Times Herald that Nardini, who was arraigned on Thursday on kidnapping and absconding bond charges, had been in court on Monday, January 9 for a charge of unlawful driving away a motor vehicle, for which he was bonded at $5000.
Posting bond, Nardini then went to pick up his daughter Lillianna from his mother at the Marysville Burger King late Monday night, kicking off an almost 24 hour search for the child after 46-year-old Nardini took her and ran, despite his recent loss of custody and an court order to return Lillianna to her mother.
The ordeal ended on Tuesday when Ohio troopers recognized and stopped Nardini’s car near Lima, Ohio, finding Lillianna in the backseat. She was later reunited with her mother.
After being arrested Tuesday night by Ohio State Police, Nardini was extradited Wednesday to St. Clair County and arraigned Thursday, January 12, with his new bond set at $700,000. He is due back in court on January 24 for his probable cause hearing.
While the owner of the vehicle Nardini was found driving is believed not to be involved, Nardini’s mother is under investigation now due to her actions on Monday.
