Oktibbeha County deputies arrested three people on Easter Sunday after one of the suspects was accused of attempting to remove a child from a church in Maben.
Lt. Brett Watson told the Starkville Daily News deputies arrested Montez Howell, of Pontotoc, Mittie Burdine of Tupelo and Christopher Mayes of Pontotoc, following the incident.
Watson declined to provide further details as the investigation moves forward and also declined to identify the name of the church where the incident occurred, out of respect to the congregation.
Howell’s bond has been set at $26,000 and he is charged with attempted kidnapping, disturbing a place of worship and trespassing.
It is unclear at this time what Howell’s relationship to the victim is.
Mayes is charged with possession of a stolen firearm and hindering prosecution. His bond was set at $10,000.
Burdine is charged with trespassing and she was released on $433 bond.
Burdine is accused of being with Howell during the incident, in addition to another incident that occurred at a private residence later in the day.
Officers with the Maben Police Department initially responded to the call, then asked Oktibbeha County deputies for assistance.
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