A Canton man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he led a violent home invasion and attempted kidnapping of an 8-year-old Amish boy in Middlefield Township on Oct. 9, according to a report from the Geauga County Maple Leaf.
Bradford Hosler, 33, of Canton, is charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary — all first-degree felonies, court records show.
Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand called the crime “particularly disturbing,” saying suspects targeted members of the Amish community because they believed victims would not report crimes. “That is not the case in this county,” Hildenbrand said during an Oct. 14 press conference.
Investigators say Hosler and two accomplices assaulted a 40-year-old Amish man, shocked him and his 8-year-old son with a stun device, and stole as much as $5,000 before attempting to abduct the boy. The child managed to escape and flee through a field as the suspects left the scene.
Detectives later identified Hosler through surveillance video, eyewitness accounts, and GPS data from his parole monitoring device, which placed him at the scene. He was arrested Oct. 11 in Canton.
Hosler, who was on parole for felony domestic violence and breaking and entering charges, has an extensive criminal history that includes multiple burglary convictions. He is being held at the Geauga County Safety Center on a $750,000 bond.
Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects believed to be involved. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Chardon Municipal Court.
