SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The two federal kidnapping charges against a local activist have been dropped.

52-year-old Vernado Malone Sr. was arrested in February 2025. He was accused of taking a woman and her baby to a home in Hammond, Indiana against their will.

The woman alleged that she was trying to escape domestic violence when Malone told her he could get her to a shelter, as well as get supplies for the baby. Prosecutors alleged that Malone instead took her to a home where he was staying and made sexually explicit comments to her.

Prosecutors say they cannot find the victim to testify, leading to the dropped charges.