HCSO makes arrest in abduction case

On August 31, deputies from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in Ponce de Leon. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the complainant, who was driving on Highway 90 with her friend and an 8-month-old child, had been forced off the road by the friend’s boyfriend, identified as Ethan Blair.

Blair reportedly attempted to gain entry into the complainant’s vehicle, ultimately shattering a window of the truck and forcibly removing his girlfriend and the child. Blair then forced them into his vehicle and fled the scene.

A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was immediately issued to Walton County for the suspect and his vehicle. Thanks to the actions of a Walton County deputy, the vehicle was located on Highway 331, and a traffic stop was conducted. Fortunately, the female and child were found unharmed.

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office investigators traveled to the scene, where they obtained arrest warrants for Ethan Blair on charges of Burglary, Criminal Mischief, and Battery. Blair was subsequently transported to Walton County Jail, where he will be extradited back to Holmes County to face these charges.

Sheriff Tate expressed gratitude for the cooperation between agencies, stating, “We would like to extend our thanks to Sheriff Adkinson and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance in safely resolving this situation.”