On May 21, 2026, Edina Police officers were dispatched initially to a residence located on the 6100 block of Scotia Drive in Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota, upon a family court order directing temporary full legal and physical custody of an 18-month-old child to the child's mother, Victim herein. The order further required law enforcement to assist in returning the child to Victim's care and custody. Officers learned that STEPHEN DAVID THOMAS, DEFENDANT herein, and Victim are the parents of the 18-month-old child and are presently getting a divorce.
Officers responded and spoke with Victim who reported that Defendant kicked her out of their home on May 9, 2026, and Defendant has refused to let her see their child [NAME REDACTED]. Since May 9, 2026, Defendant would agree to meet Victim [NAME REDACTED] would then fail to arrive with the child. On May 21, 2026, a judge in Hennepin County granted Victim's motion for sole legal and physical custody of the child out of concern for the child's welfare due to Defendant's substance use. With the assistance of law enforcement, Victim arranged a meeting with Defendant at a park to facilitate the exchange of the child under the supervision of law enforcement.
Despite saying that he was on his way and close to the park several times, Defendant never arrived at the park. Law enforcement went back to Defendant's home to attempt to make contact with Defendant, but he was not home. Officers called and texted Defendant repeatedly and made contact with Defendant who acknowledged that they were law enforcement. Law enforcement sent a copy of the order to Defendant electronically. Officers asked Defendant for his current location so that they could check the welfare of the child and facilitate the transfer of custody.
Defendant refused to provide his location. When the officers requested a photograph of the child [NAME REDACTED], Defendant responded with "LOL." While texting with officers, Defendant also texted Victim [NAME REDACTED], "I will risk the felony to set the record straight." After nearly six hours, Defendant still had not transferred custody of the child [NAME REDACTED]. Law enforcement began pinging Defendant's phone location out of concern for the child's welfare. Officers learned that Defendant had just rented a room at a hotel in Minneapolis and had checked in with a child.
Officers went to the hotel room and knocked on the door alerting Defendant that they had a search warrant and that he was under arrest. Defendant refused to open the door. Officers called Defendant multiple times, but he refused to answer. Officers attempted entry, but the latch bar was activated. Officers obtained a breaching tool, but when they attempted to open the door a second time, they were able to make entry without the tool. Once inside, officers located Defendant holding the child [NAME REDACTED] on his cell phone.
