State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today thatLachina Renea Cropes was convicted after jury trial oftwo counts of False Imprisonment With A Weapon, and two counts of Battery.  The crimes were committed on November 03, 2024 and were investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 29 and 30, 2026.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The defendant lost custody of her two young children (ages 8 and 10) during the year 2024 due to allegations she had committed acts of domestic violence against her partner in front  of the children. While the children were within the custody of the Department of Children and Families, the defendant was permitted to have supervised visitations with them. The defendant had a history of non-compliance with the rules of supervised visitation.

This incident occurred during one of the scheduled supervised visits. The visit was to commence at a park, and two group home employees were assigned to supervise the visit. During the visit, the defendant refused to comply with the rules, and she became belligerent with the employees, prompting one of the employees to call 911. However, the employee was unable to call 911 because the defendant pulled a tactical can of pepper spray from her purse and doused both of them in the face. The defendant then punched the female employee in her face, prior to taking the children and fleeing the area in a vehicle.

The defendant fled the state with the children, and was later apprehended in Georgia. She and the children were found in the same vehicle, along with an empty tactical can of pepper spray, and a firearm. The defendant was arrested and the children have since been permanently placed with a family member.    

The lead prosecutor in the case, James Davis, commented,

“Due to the defendant’s behavior, the children were unnecessarily traumatized by their mother, and this memory will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We are thankful the jury held the defendant responsible and accountable for her actions, and the children are now within a safe environment.“ 

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney James Davis in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.