Marin County District Attorney’s Office Statement on Filed Charges in Novato Child Abduction Case

March 5, 2026

Following the March 4, 2026, arrest of Benjamin Douglas Buckley in Novato, CA, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office has filed a complaint against Mr. Buckley alleging a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code section 278 - child abduction, a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code section 273a(a) - cruelty to a child, and a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code section 243.25 - battery on an elder or dependent adult.

The People bear the burden of proving these charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on March 6, 2026.

Because this matter is pending in court, the District Attorney’s Office will not release additional information at this time.