Joseph Andrew Bragg: Maple Grove Child Kidnapper Previously Had Child-Related Restraining Order Filed After Babysitting Allegations

Newly surfaced court records reveal that Joseph Andrew Bragg, the 28-year-old Maple Grove, Minnesota man arrested for the alleged kidnapping of a 7-year-old girl, had previously been the subject of a child-related restraining order filed last year.

The revelation follows Bragg’s arrest early Thursday morning in connection with the alleged abduction of Brynlee Nelson, a 7-year-old girl from Zimmerman. Authorities say the child was taken Wednesday afternoon shortly after getting off her school bus. An AMBER Alert was later issued, and Albert Lea police located Bragg’s vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 35 just after 1:00 a.m. Thursday.

During the traffic stop, officers confirmed the child was inside the vehicle. Brynlee was transported to a hospital for evaluation as a precaution and was later safely reunited with her family.

According to reports, this was not the first time Bragg had been implicated in incidents involving children. In a separate allegation, a former girlfriend previously accused Bragg of kissing and groping her then 4-year-old daughter, which led to Child Protection Services becoming involved. Those claims have not resulted in criminal convictions.

Further reporting by the Minnesota Star Tribune, cited by blogger Abby Blabby, indicates Bragg was named in a child harassment case in August 2025, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Court records filed in Koochiching County show that a family in International Falls sought and was granted a harassment restraining order against Bragg after hiring him as a babysitter. In the petition, the children’s father alleged that Bragg touched one of the children while they were swimming and forced his daughter to sleep with him in a camper. The petition states both children reported they did not feel safe around him.

The restraining order was later dismissed under conditions that Bragg have no contact with the children or their father and remain at least one mile away from the children’s home. Court documents indicate those conditions remain in effect until September 22, 2026.

Since Bragg’s recent arrest, additional community members have come forward with concerns. Multiple reports state that Bragg had been active in local babysitting and childcare Facebook groups for nearly a year, frequently responding to posts from parents seeking help with child care, including offering to watch infants.

A prior post shared by the Facebook group Affordable Babysitters of Minnesota welcomed Bragg as a new member.

Bragg is currently being held in the Sherburne County Jail. Authorities say formal charges related to the alleged kidnapping are forthcoming as the investigation continues.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Joseph Bragg ex girlfriend, Katelyn Rounsville claims Maple Grove, Minnesota man kissing, groping her 4 year old daughter, CPS getting involved.