TAVARES, Fla. — The Tavares Police Department reported Monday morning that 5-year-old Jace Saunders had been found safe after his grandmother Kelly Dasilva turned herself in with the boy at the Lady Lake Police Department. 

Authorities said Jace, who is semi-verbal and autistic, was in good health and has been turned over to the Department of Children and Families.

His grandmother was transported to the Tavares Police Department for questioning and is charged with kidnapping and interference of child custody during a DCF investigation. 

During a news conference Monday morning, Detective Courtney Sullivan said Jace was not supposed to be in Dasilva's care. 

This began as Tavares police officers responded to a home on Tara Drive Sunday afternoon to remove Jace from a relative's custody, according to authorities. When officers arrived, that relative said Jace was out with a family friend, Mitchell Morris. 

Police said Mitchell later handed over Jace to his grandmother at a nearby park to prevent DCF from taking the 5-year-old.

When Mitchell returned to the residence without Jace, police arrested and charged him with interference of child custody.

Shortly after, Jace's father Brandon Saunders arrived at the home and became hostile, Detective Sullivan said, and refused to assist officers in finding his son. 

Brandon was arrested and charged with interference of child custody and resisting without violence.

Sullivan said an officer was able to speak with Jace's mother, Taylor Judy, on the phone as she attempted to make deals with the officer for providing Jace's location. She was later located in Eustis and charged with interference of child custody.

Sullivan noted that Jace's parents had received calls from Dasilva after she took Jace, causing detectives to believe that they knew where he was located.  

Sullivan also said that the Tavares Police Department has an extensive history with the family for domestic related issues. 

Authorities said further charges are possible if necessary.