Bond set at $700K for man charged with kidnapping daughter

A man is facing new charges after prosecutors said he fled Marysville with his 4-year-old daughter the same day he was arraigned in a separate case.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Josh Sparling said Erik Nardini was arraigned Thursday on charges of kidnapping and absconding bond. The second charge is related to a prior case he has in the county on a charge of unlawful driving away a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned on that charge Monday and given a $5,000 bond.

His bond was set at $700,000 during his Thursday arraignment.

Sparling said Nardini was in county custody after his arraignment Monday and went to get his daughter after posting bond.

Police have said Nardini met with someone who had his daughter Monday evening at the Marysville Burger King off Gratiot Avenue. Nardini did not have custody of his daughter per court order.

Ohio State Highway Patrol located Nardini, 46, and his daughter shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday near Lima, Ohio. They arrested Nardini without incident and he was brought back to St. Clair County Wednesday, Sparling said.

His daughter was transported to the Port Huron Police Department Tuesday evening and was reunited with her mother, who is a Cadillac resident.

Sparling said Nardini's mother was babysitting the girl when she met Nardini in Marysville. Sparling said from there he allegedly found a new vehicle to flee the state.

Sparling said the owner of the vehicle did not appear to be aware of Nardini's alleged plans, but his mother is under investigation.

"There is an investigation ongoing into her activities," Sparling said.

Nardini is due back in court for a probable cause hearing Jan. 24.