May 7, 2023 - Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Thursday evening 47-year-old Clinton Wangelin and 46-year-old Melisa Wangelin were arrested for the kidnapping of Clinton’s 3-year-old grandson. They took him from his home in Waterford and went to Clinton’s residence in Atwater, where the boy was later rescued.

On Thursday, May 3, 2023, at 4:48 p.m., deputies responded to the 12000 block of Covey Street in Waterford for the report of a kidnapped 3-year-old. A deputy arrived at the scene within minutes and began asking for additional law enforcement resources. It was determined the boy, who was living at the home with his mother, was the grandson of the reporting party. She was watching him while his mother was running errands.

The grandmother said Clinton and his sister Melisa, went to the house to visit with the boy who had recently lived with them. During that time, Clinton put the child in his vehicle to take him without permission. When the grandmother tried to stop Clinton, Melisa got in her way and pushed her back, preventing her from trying to save the child. They then drove away with the victim.

Investigators determined Clinton was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) in Merced County for possession of stolen property and escape. With the assistance of AIR101, Clinton’s vehicle was ultimately located at his residence in Atwater. While overhead and waiting for deputies and detectives to arrive at the home, the child could be seen in the backyard with Clinton and Melisa.

When ground units arrived, everyone at the home cooperated, including Clinton and Melisa, and the child was safely rescued about two hours after the original report of his kidnapping.

Clinton and Melisa were both arrested for kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a crime since they acted together to take the child. They are currently still in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail with a bail of $200,000.

Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office