Marin County police arrest alleged child kidnapper

Novato police arrested a man for allegedly kidnapping a 3-year-old child in the Hamilton neighborhood.

The incident was reported at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Martin Drive. Police said the suspect took the child during a family dispute.

Police arrested the suspect after he and the child exited a vehicle on Center Road. The child was reunited with relatives. No injuries were reported.

Benjamin Douglas Buckley, 39, of Novato booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping, willful cruelty to a child and cruelty to an elder or dependent adult. The latter allegation involves a fight with one of the family members before the alleged abduction.

Buckley’s bail amount is $500,000. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office was reviewing the police reports Thursday to decide whether to file charges, a spokesperson said.