Flora Man Being Held in Reported Attempted Abduction in Effingham

(KELLEDES)

A Flora man is in custody in Effingham County after what's being reported as an attempted kidnapping. No one was taken in the incident.

The incident occurred about 7am Friday in the lobby of a hotel in the 1300 block of Avenue of Mid America in Effingham. City police and county sheriff's deputies were called to the scene. There were reports of a physical altercation between the subject, hotel staff and patrons prior to officers reaching the scene. Responding officers engaged the man and used non-lethal tasers to gain control of the subject.

The suspect is 37-year-old Matthew J. Kelledes, who was taken to Effingham County Jail on pending charges from the incident and on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant.  Effingham County State's Attorney Aaron Jones said he will be reviewing the facts of the case before deciding how to charge Kelledes. He is currently being held on three counts of aggravated battery and charges of aggravated kidnapping, endangering the life of a child, disarming a peace officer, and resisting a peace officer.

Effingham City Police Chief Jason McFarland praised the hotel staff and bystanders for assisting and responding officers and deputies who defused the situation in a timely manner. 

The child involved was not harmed and is in the care of her parents.

The case is still being investigated by the Effingham City Police Department and the Effingham County State's Attorney's Office.