The mother of a Holly Hill man charged with kidnapping says the behavior is out of character for the high school student.

During a bond hearing Friday, Evelyn Austin said her son had never been in trouble, describing him as a "church-going young man."

Austin said her son has not been taking his medication for a couple of months. She said financial concerns prevented him from obtaining Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy.

"I can tell a difference when he's not taking it," Austin said. She promised to ensure he takes it.

Samuel Jamar Randolph, 18, of 116 Nobel Court, has been charged with kidnapping a 20-year-old acquaintance. A charge of kidnapping can carry up to 30 years in prison, if Randolph is convicted.

Orangeburg Municipal Judge Barney Houser set bond on the Lake Marion High School senior at $10,000 cash or surety.

"Mr. Randolph, you're charged with kidnapping, do you understand the charge?" Houser said.

"Yes, sir," Randolph replied.

Houser ordered the Holly Hill man to appear in General Sessions Court on April 20.



Witnesses called 911 on Thursday afternoon, saying a woman was being forced into an SUV. Nearby police reported a woman was attempting to exit a tan Chevrolet Tahoe as it traveled north on Magnolia Street. Several police units pulled the SUV over at a convenience store about five blocks away.

The driver of the Chevrolet allegedly attempted to pass himself off as an officer with the sheriff's office.

Prior to Houser's decision on bond, Det. Mike Smalls, lead investigator in the case, told the court that the victim is three months pregnant with Randolph's child.

And Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Victim's Advocate Jennifer Haig asked the court to instate a provision that Randolph would have no contact with the victim, who is a student at Claflin University.

Randolph said Thursday's incident was a typical lovers' spat.

"We just had, like, arguments, stuff like that," he said.

Haig countered that the victim suffered several scratches to her hands and arms during what police say was an abduction. Randolph had a bite mark on a cheek.

"We're not here to try the case today," Houser interjected. "We're here to set bond. These are serious charges."

Smalls asked the court to take "into account the seriousness of the event." The detective added that Randolph had no prior convictions.

"She told me this morning that she loved him," Austin said.

"But that doesn't change the circumstances," Houser said before ordering that Randolph and his family may not contact the victim. Randolph was also placed on no trespassing notice for Claflin University.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516.

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