BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The mother of Baylee Despot, one of the Bakersfield 3 is speaking out following Matthew Queen's two-hour stand off with police at Beach Park Monday afternoon.
According to Bakersfield police, 42-year-old Queen ran from cops while he was being investigated on a kidnapping case. During the pursuit he allegedly jumped into the Kern River while bracing himself against a concrete pillar near Beach Park. BPD arrested Queen for kidnapping and obstructing an investigation.
Queen also dated Despot, who was reported missing on April 25, 2018.
Baylee’s mother, Jane Parrent spoke with 23ABC about Queen's recent arrest.
“Glad he is off the street finally and he shouldn’t be out," Parrent said. "I hope he stays in jail."
Queen was taken into custody and was believed to be armed. Court records show he has four criminal cases in San Diego from 2004 and 2007. In Kern County he has several cases with a total of 13 charges, each one for possession of a firearm by a felon.
“I feel like he has a lot of answers," Parrent explained. "Not just for the Bakersfield 3 cases, but also this kidnapping case."
Bakersfield police say that they are still investigating Despot's disappearance.
“We did not like each other, the first time I met him,” added Parrent. “I was like 'oh my God what is this 40-year-old doing with my daughter'.”
BPD says that Queen’s current arrest is unrelated to the Bakersfield 3 cases.
Parrent says that Queen referred to himself as her daughter's boyfriend, and he said that Despot was pregnant.
“That was something that I never got confirm with Baylee, but Queen announced at a family gathering and that wasn’t good.”
The Bakersfield 3 story has been followed nationwide and is full of supporters.
Parrent says because of their fight, people can relate to their story.
“I think that’s why, because I’m not going to stop,” Parrent said. “We need to take back our town and not just our town our whole county.”
Bakersfield Police Department says that they are still investigating Baylee Despot and the rest of the Bakersfield 3 cases.
Queen is scheduled to be arraigned in court this Thursday.
