Odessa Man Arrested After Police Investigate Reported Kidnapping Involving 3-Year-Old

ODESSA, Texas — A reported kidnapping involving a young child prompted a large overnight search across Odessa before investigators determined no abduction had occurred.

During the early morning hours of March 1, 2026, the Odessa Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Alpine Street after callers reported a possible kidnapping involving a 3-year-old child and the child’s mother. The reporting parties told officers they feared the pair were in danger due to the actions of the child’s father.

Officers, along with deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, began searching throughout the city and surrounding county areas. Authorities eventually located the suspect vehicle near 22nd Street and North County Road West.

An Ector County deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed. Out of caution, deputies discontinued the active pursuit while officers continued monitoring the vehicle from a distance.

The vehicle later stopped near Farm-to-Market Road 1936 and Interstate 20, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Officers safely located both the woman and child. After conducting interviews and reviewing digital evidence, investigators determined that no kidnapping had occurred.

Police identified the suspect as Braulio Garcia, 37, who was arrested and charged with Assault Family Violence and Evading Detention in a Vehicle.

The Odessa Police Department thanked the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Ector County Sheriff’s Office for assisting in the investigation.