Mother kidnapped near USF found safe in Largo; suspect arrested, deputies say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A mother who was kidnapped Thursday morning near the University of South Florida was found safe in Largo, and the suspect has been arrested, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Jayanna Clark, 25, was found safe after searching for nearly 18 hours, deputies said. She was found exiting a shed along 13th Street Southwest in Largo with Jahvonte Bell, 26, according to the sheriff’s office.

Bell was arrested on charges of armed kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and battery, deputies said.

Deputies are still working to learn what happened, and said more information would be provided on Friday.

“I will say thank you to all the law enforcement for finding my daughter safely,” Leah Walls, Clark’s mother said in a statement to News Channel 8. “I am so grateful for all their hard work and god bless them. This could have turned out devastating without their help. God bless. Thank you also for caring so much. I pray Jahvontae gets the help he needs.”

At about 1:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a call about a possible kidnapping in the area of Bordeaux Village Place in Tampa, near the University of South Florida.

Deputies said they spoke to witnesses who saw Clark when she was forced into a black Nissan sedan by two individuals.

News Channel 8 reporter Georgia McCarthur spoke with relatives on Thursday afternoon, who said Clark was in a previous relationship with Bell. According to the woman’s relatives, this is not the first time the suspect has tried to kidnap Clark.

“For it to happen in my neighborhood, where I live at is really the wildest thing I heard. We’ve never had this type of stuff go on in this neighborhood, so I hope they find the young lady,” neighbor Jarvis Everett said.

Bell was previously arrested for domestic violence in Pinellas County, but after he completed a court-ordered program, the charges were dismissed. In 2021, arrest warrants show the suspect repeatedly punched Clark, causing bruises and injuries.

Clark also told police she was in fear for her life and hesitated to call police because Bell allegedly made threats to kill her.

“It’s a shocking situation. It’s something that should never happened,” Everett said.

Clearwater police confirmed to News Channel 8 that Bell also allegedly kidnapped Clark on June 14. Police said Clark got into a car with an acquaintance after her shift ended when Bell got into the car and kept her from leaving.

After that kidnapping, Clark was found the next morning unharmed, and police had not been able to find Bell to arrest him on an outstanding warrant for kidnapping, police said.

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