WILMINGTON — A man previously arrested for the attempted kidnapping of a 7-year-old girl has been sentenced to four years of probation, but also had multiple charges dropped in the case.
On March 12, Daniel Jason Summers, 44, pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon; he was also charged with second-degree kidnapping, assault on a child under 12 and resisting a public officer, all dismissed in superior court. Judge George Frank Jones remanded Summers to a suspended sentence of up to three or so years in prison, with 48 months of supervised probation.
READ MORE: Court orders psychiatric evaluation of man charged in kidnapping attempt
A suspended sentence means that instead of going to jail immediately, a defendant will undergo a probationary period with specific conditions. Should the defendant not meet the conditions, the prison sentence will go into effect.
According to plea transcripts from the court, during probation Summers will be given urinalysis screenings to check for illegal controlled substances; the court recommended the analyses be frequently conducted.
He will also be subject to substance abuse and mental health evaluations, and will be required to undergo counseling, treatment, further evaluation, or any recommended education programs during his probation, as prescribed by the evaluations.
Summers was given a mental health evaluation because his attorney, John Phillips, expressed a lack of confidence in Summers’ capacity to proceed in court during his client’s first appearance in January.
However, a Feb. 25 letter indicated:
“The medical staff of the Forensic Services Unit of Central Regional Hospital has completed its forensic evaluation and observation of the above-named client and found this individual to be capable to proceed to trial.”
Summers, originally from Wrightsville Beach, had to be physically restrained during his hearing on Jan. 6. He attended virtually from the detention center and multiple officers constrained and put a spit guard on him as he flailed and caused interference throughout the hearing.
Summers was first arrested by the Wilmington Police Department on Jan. 2 for grabbing and tackling a 7-year-old girl on North Front Street. The defendant held her against her will; the girl’s father and another man aided in restraining Summers while the child crawled out to safety.
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