Joseph Bragg, Maple Grove, Minnesota child kidnapper had previous child restraining order filed against him after being hired as a babysitter according to petitioner.
A new report has revealed alleged 28-year-old Maple Grove, Minnesota child kidnapper, Joseph Andrew Bragg had a restraining order filed against him involving children last year.
The revelation comes after Joseph Bragg was arrested early Thursday for allegedly kidnapping 7-year-old Zimmerman girl, Brynlee Nelson as she got off her school bus, Wednesday afternoon leading to the man’s arrest early Thursday morning after Albert Lea police tracked him on I-35. Upon being pulled over just on 1.00 a.m, the abducted girl was found in the alleged kidnapper’s vehicle. Following a hospital visit for safety concerns she was later released to her family.
It wasn’t the first time that the alleged child kidnapper had been implicated with wrongdoing involving children, including the man’s former girlfriend alleging Bragg groping and kissing her then 4 year old daughter, leading to Child Protection Services being involved.
Joseph Bragg 7-year-old victim sexually assaulted by child kidnapper
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune as cited by prolific blogger, Abby Blabby, Bragg was involved in a child harassment case against him in August of 2025 according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Noted previous criminal documents: ‘Court records filed in Koochiching County show that in August, a family in International Falls, in northern Minnesota, who had hired him as a babysitter sought and was granted a harassment restraining order against him.
‘In the petition, the children’s father alleged that the suspect touched one of the children while they were in a swimming pool and forced his daughter to sleep with him in his camper. The petition states that both children said they did not feel safe around the suspect because of what they said he made them do.
‘The suspect denied the allegations in a letter filed with Koochiching County District Court.
‘The restraining order was later dismissed under conditions requiring the suspect to have no contact with the children or their father and to remain at least one mile away from the children’s home. Court documents indicate those conditions remain in effect until Sept. 22, 2026.’
Joseph Bragg ex girlfriend claims he groped, kissed 4 year-old daughter, called CPS
Since Bragg’s arrest, community members have come forward with alarming claims. According to multiple reports, Bragg had been active in local babysitting and childcare Facebook groups for nearly a year, regularly responding to posts from parents looking for help watching their children, including volunteering to ‘watch’ over infants.
Stated a previous post shared by Affordable Babysitters of Minnesota: ‘Let’s welcome our new members! Joseph Bragg.’
Bragg is now in custody in the Sherburne County Jail and will be charged with abducting the 7-year-old girl, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
