AMARILLO, TEXAS -- An Amarillo man was arrested by the FBI for international parental kidnapping, authorities announced Monday afternoon.
35-year-old Badr Djelti, according to a court affidavit, allegedly kidnapped his 2-year-old child.
The court documents showed that Djelti, a legal citizen of Algeria, was legally living in the United States when he took his child to Algeria in December 2011. On January 13, 2012, authorities said Djelti returned to the U.S., but without his child.
He told his wife he left their child with his parents in Algeria, court documents showed.
Djelti, according to court documents, separated with his wife in August 2010, just two months after the birth of their child.
Following a court hearing on April 19, Djelti was ordered to make flight arrangements to Algeria within 48 hours so the child could be returned to the mother. In the order, authorities said the judge found that Djelti had a history of pattern of family violence.
Djelti asked his wife's attorney for a time extension so he could finish his exams at Amarillo College, authorities said. He was to leave to Algeria on May 13 and return with the child on May 29.
According to the affidavit, Djelti's wife heard one of his co-workers say that Djelti did not intend to return to the U.S. with the child. The criminal complaint also alleged that Djelti told customers he was not returning after going back to Algeria.
If convicted, Djelti faces a maximum statutory sentence of three years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. The case must be presented to the grand jury within 30 days, authorities said.
The FBI is conducting the investigation.
