GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A man, reported missing with his ex-girlfriend over the weekend, is now charged with kidnapping her.
The Kent County Prosecutor's office plans to charge 25 year old Travis Ghent with kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
The public first heard the name of Travis Ghent over the weekend, when the Kent County Sheriff's Department reported that he and his ex-girlfriend, Raquel Mayhanagian were missing.
Mayhanagian was found safe in Connecticut.
She filed for a personal protection order Tuesday. In that PPO request, Mayhanagian says she broke up with Ghent one day, and he came to her house the next day and became abusive. She says Ghent smashed her cell phone and forced her into his car. In the court paperwork, Mayhanagian says as Ghent drove her through Michigan and on to New York, he hit her, and gave her pills until she passed out. When she escaped in the New York area, Mayhanagian went to the airport and her family helped her book a flight home.
Travis Ghent appeared in court this afternoon on an unrelated charge. He's accused of violating a previous personal protection order by calling another ex-girlfriend multiple times. The judge ordered Ghent held on a quarter million dollars bond.
During that arraignment, information on the other charges came to light. Assistant Prosecutor James Benison said, "I have been told that our office this morning approved a charge of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment or unlawful confinement against Mr. Ghent."
Ghent's father, Ken Ghent issued a statement for the family in which they apologize to the Mayhanagian family and quote "acknowledge that their son/brother is a very ill person. They have become aware that Travis is highly addicted to various drugs. Travis was found by his father Tuesday afternoon in very bad condition. He was then brought to the emergency room where his father alerted police he would be. They believe this was the only way to save his life."
Ghent is expected to be arraigned on the felony charges Thursday.
Here is the full text of the statement from the Ghent family:
"The Ghent family would like the Mayhanagian family to know that they continue to be in their thoughts and prayers. The Ghent family would like to acknowledge that their son/brother is a very ill person. They have become aware that Travis is highly addicted to various drugs. Travis was found by his father Tuesday afternoon in very bad condition. He was then brought to the emergency room where his father alerted police he would be. They believe this was the only way to save his life.
Thank you. Ken Ghent."
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