DATE:March 6, 2018

CASE: David Watson & Christina Bell (Case #16FE019708)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Heidi Brennan, Child Abduction Unit

David Watson was convicted by a jury of kidnapping while personally using a knife and child abduction.

Watson and Bell were in a relationship and had a child together.  The Shasta Interagency Narcotic Task Force conducted a probation search at the home where Watson and Bell had been residing.  Bell, who was home at the time with the couple’s 5-month-old baby, was arrested for child endangerment and drug related charges. Shasta County Child and Family Services (CPS) took the baby into protective custody.  Bell’s mother, who resides in Sacramento County, obtained legal temporary guardianship of the baby.  On October 12, 2016, Watson and Bell went to the mother’s house for a supervised visit with their child.   During the visit, Watson pulled out a knife and left the residence with the baby.  Bell and Watson fled back to Shasta County, but were arrested days later.

Allegations that Watson suffered a 1987 strike conviction for first-degree burglary and a 1992 strike conviction for assault with a firearm will be determined at sentencing.

Watson faces a maximum sentence of 38 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for April 27, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 33 before the Honorable Michael Savage.

On January 30, 2017, Christina Bell pled no contest to child abduction and was sentenced to 364 days in jail.

image_pdfPrint as PDFimage_printPrint