Man charged with kidnapping South Carolina 3-year-old to stay in jail

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A man charged with kidnapping a 3-year-old girl from her home after authorities said he severely beat her mother will stay in jail until his trial.

Thomas Evans Jr. waived his right to a bond hearing or a preliminary hearing Monday in federal court, according to media reports.

[Brutally beaten SC woman whose 4-year-old was kidnapped released from hospital]

Evans kidnapped the girl, who was found safe in Alabama about 24 hours after police say she was taken from her Charleston home Feb. 13., prosecutors said.

State prosecutors have said additional charges are likely against Evans.

Evans followed the girl's mother to her home after she dropped two of her other children off at school on Feb. 13, police said.

The girl wasn't reported missing until the mother didn't pick up her children from school and officers found her badly injured, authorities said.

Prosecutors released little new information about the case at Monday's hearing. Authorities said earlier there didn't appear to be any link between Evans and the Charleston family.

Authorities are also looking for Sharon Hayden, the woman who owns the vehicle Evans was driving when police said he kidnapped the girl.

Hayden's mother said her daughter is missing. Authorities have said little about that case.

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Associated Press