A mother fended off her son’s potential kidnapper at this Waffle House in Nashville, Tenn., on March 3, 2024. (Google Maps)
A 30-year-old man allegedly tried to kidnap a 9-year-old boy during a tirade at a Tennessee Waffle House, but was rebuffed by a mother with a broom.
It happened around 9:20 p.m. Sunday at the restaurant at 4021 Nolensville Pike in Nashville.
An employee told officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department that the man, later identified as Adelin Sepa, came into the restaurant like he was going to use the bathroom. Instead, he turned around, grabbed a salt shaker on a counter and then started throwing chairs throughout the business while yelling, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Sepa then approached the mother, father and 9-year-old boy who were eating dinner. Sepa allegedly grabbed the boy in a “bear hug” and tried to run out of the restaurant with him. The mother wrestled her son away from Sepa and then grabbed a broom, standing between the suspect and the boy, the affidavit said. The woman’s husband then grabbed Sepa and pushed him out of the dining area while employees shouted for him to get out.
Cops responding to the call saw Sepa walking down the street and took him into custody after a struggle, the affidavit said.
The boy told officers he was scared and had never seen his would-be abductor before. He complained of chest pain and paramedics checked him out and cleared him. The boy’s mother identified Sepa in a lineup.
Officers arrested Sepa on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping of a victim under 13, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He’s at the Davidson County Jail on a $78,000 bond. He has holds for domestic violence and from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to records.
This is not the first time Sepa has allegedly caused a ruckus at a public place. In June 2021, he was arrested for assault and public intoxication at a Kroger about three miles down the street from the Waffle House. According to Scoop Nashville, he reportedly swung a toy sword at customers at the gas station. He allegedly said “I’ve had beers” when officers approached him. He also lifted up a Kroger employee after he heard it was his birthday, the outlet reported.
Records show he later pleaded guilty to the public intoxication charge.
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