Manatee mother convicted after kidnapping 2 kids in pepper spray attack
A woman faces decades in prison after a jury convicted her of pepper-spraying two group home employees and fleeing Florida with her two children during a supervised visit.
A Manatee County jury found Lachina Renea Cropes, 42, guilty of two counts of false imprisonment with a weapon and two counts of battery following a two-day trial in June, according to court records. The maximum punishment under Florida law is up to 30 years in prison.
A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.
Cropes was originally charged with two counts of armed kidnapping, which carried potential life sentences, but the jury instead convicted her of the lesser offense of false imprisonment. Defense attorney Dustin Wagner told the Bradenton Herald he believed “the facts did not support” the original charges.
Prosecutors said Cropes had lost custody of her children, then ages 8 and 10, in 2024 after allegations that she committed domestic violence against her partner in front of them.
Mother kidnapped kids during park visit, prosecutors say
The children were in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families and living in a group home when prosecutors said a supervised visit turned violent.
During a scheduled visit at Rye Wilderness Park in Parrish in November 2024, prosecutors said Cropes refused to follow visitation rules and became “belligerent with the employees,” prompting one of the employees to call 911.
However, when one of the employees attempted to call 911, prosecutors said Cropes pulled a tactical can of pepper spray from her purse and sprayed the employee in the face.
Prosecutors said Cropes then punched the other employee in the face and pepper-sprayed her before taking the children and fleeing in a vehicle.
Investigators later caught Cropes in Georgia, finding her and the children in the same vehicle, along with an empty can of pepper spray and a firearm, according to prosecutors
Parent sentenced in kidnapping case
Prosecutors said Cropes had a history of not following the rules during supervised visits.
A previous supervised visit was cut short after Cropes behaved erratically and repeatedly violated visitation rules, according to an arrest report. Investigators said she brought unapproved food and vitamins for the children and tried to force one child to eat by pushing a fork into the child’s mouth.
The children have since been permanently placed with a family member, prosecutors said.
“Due to the defendant’s behavior, the children were unnecessarily traumatized by their mother, and this memory will remain with them for the rest of their lives,” lead prosecutor James Davis said in a written statement. “We are thankful the jury held the defendant responsible and accountable for her actions, and the children are now within a safe environment.”
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
