'Santa' Hit With Kidnap Charge

After Allegedly Driving Off With 8-Year-Old Girl On His Motorcycle

(AP)  Authorities say a man dressed as Santa Claus lured an 8-year-old girl into his motorcycle sidecar and then drove off with the child – sparking a high speed chase by her father.

Police in Columbia, S.C., say John Michael Barton, 55, has been arrested on a kidnapping charge and is being held on $100,000 bail.

Police say the girl and her family, from Augusta, Georgia, had stopped at a convenience store off an interstate highway Sunday night when they noticed Barton, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, refueling his motorcycle.

Parents told police that Barton asked the children to come over and look at a stuffed Rudolph he had in his sidecar. Then, according to police, the parents say they saw Barton driving away with their 8-year-old girl.

Police say the girl's father chased Barton, at speeds of as much as 80 mph, flashing his headlights repeatedly as he drove. Police say Barton eventually stopped at a parking lot and the father reclaimed his daughter, who was not injured.

Authorities say Barton was arrested later Sunday when police found him hiding in a utility room at a nearby bar.

According to Sheriff James Metts, Barton had been portraying Santa Claus for several weeks, has given rides to other children in the area and has posed for photographs with children by his motorcycle.

A charge of kidnapping carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

[peaceforusa]

Well this surely blows a child's belief in Santa, doesn't it? What kind of Santa runs off with a child in his sidecar? The old "look at my reindeer" lure. One would think permission by the parents would be first order. I wonder how many kids he actually gave rides too? I think this was his first and he immediately got busted. Did he think he could just ride off with someone's child? What an idiot! I hope he gets all 30 years so parents don't have to worry their children. Kudo's to the father for keeping it together and getting his daughter back. This could have turned into a real tragedy.

[wvoifvet]

I think that is sad that someone would use a childs icon, hero, whatever you want to call Santa, as a way to kidnap a child. Putting aside that it is wrong, I agree with PeaceforUSA in that what it can do for a childs belief in Santa. Not to mention the mental truama this kid maight have for years to come just because of one sick person's way of luring them to kidnap them. Who knows what wouldve happened had he gotten away.

[thee0racle]

Here's your big chance, Metts! Sue 'em for that caption 'typo'

[aeasus]

Local paper's story

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/16270688.htm

Morris said Monday he accepted Barton%u2019s courtroom apology but was still unsettled about the incident.

[gerryrigger]

How many children were there? I find it odd that there would be several children at the convenience store and that their parents would not accompany them to see "Santa". If I were her father, I wouldn't have allowed her to check Santa's ride on her own. Any good parent would never leave young children by themselves in a car, and would always keep them close by in public places.

[okiething72]

What kind of person does this. I think he needs some mental help. PERVERT!

[mrvolleyba11]

the kind of person that does this is called a "Pedophile" and this is probably exactly how simple the taking of children off the streets or from malls happens. One minute out playing or shopping, next there gone forever!

[jonw1115]

This just goes to show you that you can never keep your children too close to you. I hope he gets 30 years of hard time and when he reports to the pen the guards announce to the other inmates why he is there. He will make a lot of friends quickly!

[dorg175]

PWNT!