Bay Area man accused of kidnapping and child cruelty to be mentally evaluated

A Solano County man will be examined for his competency to stand trial for multiple felony charges after he allegedly committed a kidnapping and was involved in a police chase earlier this year.

Dajon Daniel faces felony charges for kidnapping, willful cruelty to a child resulting in possible injury or death, a felony; evading a law enforcement officer with wanton disregard for safety, and one misdemeanor charge of battery on a spouse or former spouse or date.

Daniel previously pled not guilty, and now will be evaluated on his mental fitness to stand trial by a mental health professional, after a request by the defense for such treatment was made. Judge Wendy G. Getty allowed Daniel to undergo the examination, and the doctor will be asked to decide if involuntary antipsychotic medication should be prescribed to him, or if he should be allowed to refuse said medication if he chooses.

Daniel’s mental competence to “Understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings taken against them, cooperate in a rational manner with counsel presenting a defense and ability to prepare and conduct their own defense in a rational manner without counsel” will be tested.

Daniel was involved in a police pursuit into Rio Vista before his arrest just after noon on March 28, during which he allegedly fled dangerously from officers of the law near the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 113.

“The suspect was reported to have assaulted a woman in a Fairfield park before dragging her into a car and speeding off,” according to wording in a social media post issued by Rio Vista police.

Public Defender Yisha Fan will represent Daniels. while Hunter Burnette will represent the District Attorney’s office.

Daniel was arrested by Fairfield officers on suspicion of felony kidnapping and the other charges, then booked into jail. His bail at the time was set at $75,000.

“The units converged on the suspect vehicle, stopping it in front of the St. Joseph Cemetery,” the social media post indicated. “The suspect surrendered without incident, and a woman and a 2-year-old child were freed from the suspect.”