Mom fights with sex offender to free son, 8, in apartment complex laundry room

MADERA, Calif. -- Clutching her son by her side, the mother described to us what happened. She said they were in the laundry room of their apartment complex when a man came in, switched off the light, and then grabbed her son. He pulled the boy out of the room, but the mother hit him and freed her son-- and ran to a neighbor to call police.

"I think the mother did what any other parent would do. Your child is in danger, I think you definitely act out and take matters into your own hands and protect your child" said Mark Trukki, Madera Police Detective.

Police responded quickly and arrested Michael Bland.

According to court documents, Bland was released from prison in 2012 where he has served time for lewd acts with a child under 14. Police said he is a transient, who has been repeatedly arrested for failing to register as a sex offender, or 290 status, every 30-- days and other crimes.

"Within those years he's violated his terms of his 290 status several times, and has been arrested. He's also been arrested for various drug charges and vandalism charges within the city," said Trukki.

The boy's mother cried as she described the fear she felt as Bland grabbed her son-- the boy told us he was afraid.

"Yeah I was frightened that I would be taken away and I couldn't see my family anymore."

The boy was not physically injured.

Bland is being held in the Madera County Jail on charges of willful cruelty to a child and kidnapping.

The boy and his mother said they had never seen Bland before. He is expected to be arraigned in court Wednesday.