Jackson County legislator arrested on domestic battery charges in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KCTV) - Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca was arrested and released on domestic battery charges in Johnson County, Kansas, on Wednesday.

Abarca was arrested on charges of domestic battery with no priors. He was taken into custody by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 1:40 p.m. and was released on $1,500 bond at 3:22 p.m.

The misdemeanor charge for Abarca and arrest came just days after his wife reported him and his son missing to Shawnee, Kansas.

READ MORE: Manny Abarca served protection order before being reported missing with son, court date scheduled

Court records showed Abarca had been served a protection order on May 30, a day after an “incident” in Shawnee. According to the court docket, the petitioner, whom KCTV5 confirmed is Abarca’s wife Alexis, was awarded custody. Abarca is ordered to stay away from and have no communication with the petitioner.

On Wednesday, the Shawnee Police Department said Abarca and the previously reported missing 2-year-old were safely located and said “their well-being has been verified.”

Abarca attended a Monday Jackson County Legislature meeting virtually. In that meeting, he led the Pledge of Allegiance.

KCTV5 has reached out to Abarca via text, phone call, and email multiple times.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Abarca told KCTV5:

This is a matter of current litigation, so, unfortunately, there is not much I can say about this case at this time. However, I will say that I love my children more than anything, and I will always put them first. I hope that this issue is decided quickly so that the entire story can be told.

Abarca’s wife Alexis said her son is safe and healthy. She said she wanted to thank the community for the she’s received and said she’s grateful to have her kids.

Jackson County Legislative Chairman DaRon McGee issued a statement Thursday:

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