Joseph Bragg Ex-Girlfriend Katelyn Rounsville Alleges Maple Grove Man, Joseph Andrew Bragg Accused of Kidnapping 7-Year-Old Brynlee Nelson Previously Kissed and Groped Her 4-Year-Old Daughter, Triggering CPS Investigation

A Minnesota man accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old Zimmerman girl is now the subject of disturbing allegations from a former girlfriend, who claims he previously engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct involving her young daughter, leading to Child Protection Services becoming involved.

Joseph Andrew Bragg, 28, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, was arrested early Thursday morning after an AMBER Alert led law enforcement to his vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 35 near Albert Lea. Police confirmed that the child inside the vehicle was Brynlee Nelson, who had been reported missing Wednesday afternoon after getting off her school bus in Zimmerman. Brynlee was safely recovered and transported to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for a medical evaluation before being reunited with her family.

Bragg was taken into custody around 12:34 a.m. and booked into the Freeborn County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping. Formal charges have not yet been filed but are expected. Authorities said Bragg has no known permanent address and no prior criminal history in Minnesota court records.

In the hours following Bragg’s arrest, Katelyn Rounsville publicly came forward with allegations stemming from a past romantic relationship with him during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rounsville claims that while they were dating, Bragg kissed her then–4-year-old daughter on the mouth with his tongue and held the child down while forcing her to nap in his bed during the only time she allowed Bragg and his mother to watch her child.

According to Rounsville, the child later disclosed the incident to a teacher, prompting Child Protection Services to intervene. She stated that an investigation was conducted and that her daughter was examined for possible sexual abuse. Rounsville said she immediately ended the relationship and alleged that Bragg’s mother dismissed her concerns, accusing her of fabricating the claims.

Rounsville further alleged that other women later contacted her with similar concerns, claiming Bragg attempted to date them or gain access to their children. She said those women all had young daughters under the age of 10 and that Bragg appeared to deliberately seek out single mothers. She also claimed Bragg kept photos of her daughter on his social media accounts and falsely presented the child as his own.

Following Bragg’s arrest, community members reported that he had been active in Minnesota babysitting and childcare Facebook groups for nearly a year, frequently responding to posts from parents seeking childcare help and volunteering to watch children, including infants. Screenshots circulating online show Bragg being welcomed into groups such as Affordable Babysitters of Minnesota.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Rounsville’s allegations are part of the current criminal investigation, and Bragg has not been charged in connection with those claims. Law enforcement officials have not commented on whether prior CPS records are being reviewed.

Brynlee Nelson was reported missing Wednesday evening after she was last seen near the 26000 block of 13th Street West in Zimmerman. The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said dispatch received the missing child report at 6:31 p.m., followed by a community notification at 9:47 p.m. Investigators initially sought information about a black vehicle seen near the school bus, but later ruled it out. An AMBER Alert was issued at 11:40 p.m. after authorities determined the child had likely been abducted.

Joseph Andrew Bragg, 28, of Maple Grove, was taken into custody at the scene and is being held on suspicion of kidnapping. Formal charges have not yet been filed but are expected in the coming days. The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said Bragg has no known permanent address, and a review of Minnesota court records showed no prior criminal history.

“We want to thank the numerous law enforcement officers, first responders, and agencies who assisted in the search,” the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said in a written statement. “We also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who came out to help during this incident.”

Albert Lea police were assisted by the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Ambulance Service. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected to be released by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office as the case progresses.