Manhunt on for Father, Daughter, 5

Sheriff’s deputies were hunting Wednesday night for a Castaic man armed with a hunting rifle who threatened to kill himself moments before grabbing his 5-year-old daughter and fleeing his trailer park home.

Deputies from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station were trying to find Daniel Beverly, 33, who became distraught after his wife, Karen, threatened to take their two children and leave him, they said.

“That’s when he told her that he was going to kill himself, and that she was going to watch him do it,” Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Dolan said.

The manhunt began shortly after the 8 p.m. argument Tuesday, when Karen Beverly, also 33, tried to pack a bag and go. After a struggle, Daniel Beverly bound her with duct tape, but she managed to break free and run, Dolan said.

Beverly then grabbed his daughter, Danielle, put her in the couple’s GMC Jimmy, and sped off, Dolan said. The couple’s 2-year-old son was not harmed.

Deputies Wednesday scoured the rugged hillsides and gorges near Castaic Junction, where they believe Beverly may be hiding. The search continued into the night.

“We’re extremely concerned, especially with the 5-year-old in his custody,” Dolan said. “He’s the one in control here. We’re hoping that he doesn’t do anything to harm the girl.”

Dolan said 25 deputies were assigned to the case, and that deputies from Ventura and Kern counties are assisting in the search. A helicopter also spent daylight hours searching the canyons.

“He’s done a lot of hiking and hunting,” Dolan said. “That’s why we’re concentrating a lot of searchers in the area.”

Beverly is described as white, 6 feet tall, 170 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. The Jimmy is white and has a distinctive cowhide wheel cover at the rear.