2 Month Old Baby Girl Kidnapped - Stephenville, TX (non-family abduction) SAFE!

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/25475499/baby-kidnapped-from-stephenville-home
Baby kidnapped from Stephenville home
May 9, 2014



STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Police are looking for a 2-month-old baby that was taken from her home in Stephenville in Erath County.

The child is described as a white female who was last seen wearing a dark blue Onesie with red and white stars. She had a red bow in her hair.

She was taken by a woman who is not related to the family, police said.

The suspect is a white female who is in her late 30's to early 40's and weighs about 200-300 pounds. She has shoulder length brown or dark blonde hair that may be pulled back in a black or blue bandanna.

She was wearing a long-sleeved white top and blue jeans.

The woman took off with the baby in her arms and was last seen running south in the 1200 block of N. Knight Street in Stephenville, police said.
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Police-searching-for-2-month-old-girl-258643611.html
Stephenville police searching for missing 2-month-old
May 9, 2014

STEPHENVILLE -- Police say a baby girl was taken from a home in Stephenville, and they are searching for her and the woman who took her.
The two-month-old girl was taken around 10 a.m. Friday from the 1200 block of Kight Street. She was last seen wearing a red bow in her hair and a dark blue onesie with red and white stars.
Police suspect that she was taken by a white woman in her late 30s to early 40s. She has shoulder-length dark blonde or light brown hair.
She was last seen with her hair pulled back with a blue or black bandanna. She was wearing a white shirt with long sleeves and jeans.
Police say the woman, with the baby, were spotted running south on Kight Street Friday morning.
 
Stephenville is 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.ktxs.com/news/updated-2monthold-girl-kidnapped-in-stephenville-police-asking-for-help/25898220
UPDATED: 2-month-old girl abducted in Stephenville, police need help
May 9, 2014 Updated 26 min. ago (1:00 p.m. cst)


 
According to the Stephenville Empire-Tribune, the child's mother was getting kids out of the car when a woman took the baby and fled on foot.

Police describe the suspect as being white, in her late 30s or early 40s, weighing between 200 and 300 pounds, with shoulder length dark blonde or light brown hair. Her hair was reportedly pulled back using a black or blue bandana, while she has on a long-sleeve white shirt – possibly a sweatshirt – and blue jeans.

The suspect allegedly demanded $5,000 after entering the home before fleeing with the 2-month-old child who was wearing a dark blue onesie with red and white stars – a red blow in her hair.
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.yourglenrosetx.com/yourstephenvilletx/news/local/article_08689cc8-6b58-50e8-9dee-d32beca53ccf.html
KIDNAPPING
Police searching for kidnapping suspect, infant
May 9, 2014


Stephenville police are searching for a woman who allegedly kidnapped a baby from a car parked in front of the family's home in the 1200 block of Kight Street about 10 a.m. Friday.
According to Sgt. Sha King, the child's mother told police she was getting the kids out of the car when a woman approached her, snatched the child and took off on foot.
The suspect is described as a white female in her late 30's or early 40's between 200-300 pounds with shoulder length dark blonde or light brown hair. The suspect's hair is pulled back with a black or blue bandana and she is wearing a long sleeve white shirt that may be a sweatshirt and blue jeans.
The child is a two-month old female last seen wearing a dark blue onesie with red and white stars and a red bow in her hair.
The suspect and child were last seen on foot running south in the 1200 block of N. Kight St.
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/news/local/police-issue-amber-alert-in-child-abduction/image_79e98d1c-bfc5-54f3-8f0f-20f0aef6b3b9.html
Police issue Amber Alert in child abduction
May 9, 2014 12:50 pm
Caleb McCaig

Photo

[BabsKats]

FOX 4 News

5/9/14

BREAKING ~ Stephenville PD: kidnapped child has been located. No word yet on her condition.... http://bit.ly/1jajlV4

[MuffyBee]

FOX 4 News

5/9/14

BREAKING ~ Stephenville PD: kidnapped child has been located. No word yet on her condition.... http://bit.ly/1jajlV4

Thank you Babs! 
I hope the little one suffered no harm and is in good condition.  I can't fathom what it would be like to have someone snatch my two month old baby and have her missing for hours.    

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Police-searching-for-2-month-old-girl-258643611.html
Missing 2-month-old girl found safe by Stephenville police
Posted on May 9, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Updated today at 5:56 PM

STEPHENVILLE — Police found a missing 2-month-old girl, whose mother said a stranger took her outside the family's home in Stephenville, safe Friday afternoon.
We are working to gather details about when and where the girl was found. It is unclear if any arrest has been made.
A news conference to release more information is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
According to police, the mother of Addalie Grace Christensen told police a woman grabbed her infant daughter while she was seated in a car in the driveway. The mother said the woman then fled the scene on foot in the 1000 block of Lingleville Street.
Police say the woman was later spotted running south in the 1200 block of Kight Street.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, authorities said the FBI, DPS and sheriff deputies join police in their search for the child. Authorities said they were investigating the case as a stranger abduction.
 

[BabsKats]

FOX 4 News

5/9/14

BREAKING ~ Stephenville PD: kidnapped child has been located. No word yet on her condition.... http://bit.ly/1jajlV4

Thank you Babs! 
I hope the little one suffered no harm and is in good condition.  I can't fathom what it would be like to have someone snatch my two month old baby and have her missing for hours.    

Sad thing Muffy, on earlier news broadcasts before she was found it sounded as if LE was doubting the mothers story.   I am so glad she was found safe, amazed she was found so quickly.

[BabsKats]

 http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/25475499/baby-kidnapped-from-stephenville-home#ixzz31GZAp6yX


 5/9/14

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - A 2-month-old baby that was taken from her home in Stephenville in Erath County was found safe on Friday evening.

An AMBER Alert was issued on Friday morning for Addalie Grace Christensen, who was taken by Latonya McLain, 38. McClain was arrested by police on Friday evening and told officers the baby was hers.

Police said McLain asked the woman's family for $5,000 dollars and the mother said no. In response, McClain grabbed the baby in its baby carrier, and took off running.

The mother was taking another child of hers out of the car on Friday morning when McClain approached from behind, shoved the mother down and grabbed the baby.

Police said Friday night they got a tip from citizen and they were able to find the child in Dublin, Texas.

 

[MuffyBee]

 http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/25475499/baby-kidnapped-from-stephenville-home#ixzz31GZAp6yX


 5/9/14

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - A 2-month-old baby that was taken from her home in Stephenville in Erath County was found safe on Friday evening.

An AMBER Alert was issued on Friday morning for Addalie Grace Christensen, who was taken by Latonya McLain, 38. McClain was arrested by police on Friday evening and told officers the baby was hers.

Police said McLain asked the woman's family for $5,000 dollars and the mother said no. In response, McClain grabbed the baby in its baby carrier, and took off running.

The mother was taking another child of hers out of the car on Friday morning when McClain approached from behind, shoved the mother down and grabbed the baby.

Police said Friday night they got a tip from citizen and they were able to find the child in Dublin, Texas.

 

I'm glad a citizen tipped LE off to where the baby could be found.  I was so afraid for the little one.  Are people just crazy or greedy (or both) to think they can try to demand $5k from a family for a baby and then take it and run off.  Who has five thousand dollars laying around?!   Was this person just greedy?  Desperate?  On drugs and needing a fix?  To snatch a little one and run with her?  The mother must have been close to going out of her mind until the baby was found safe.  Was this a crime of opportunity or was this planned?   Did this extortionist/baby snatcher have a history with LE?  A two month old baby taken from her mom.     This could have ended very, very badly imo.
So, so glad it has a good ending.    

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Police-searching-for-2-month-old-girl-258643611.html
Missing 2-month-old girl found safe by Stephenville police
Posted on May 9, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Updated today at 8:18 PM

STEPHENVILLE — Police found a missing 2-month-old girl, whose mother said a stranger took her outside the family's home in Stephenville, safe Friday afternoon thanks to tips from residents.
The girl, Addalie Grace Christensen, was found at the suspect parents' home in Dublin, Texas. The suspect, Letonya Suzette McLain, tried to claim the child was hers when police arrived for questioning.
McLain is in custody and reportedly does not know the family. Police say she approached the girl's mother in her garage while the mother tended to her other children.
McLain first allegedly demanded money, then grabbed the infant daughter while she was seated in a car in the driveway and fled the scene on foot in the 1000 block of Lingleville Street. They believe she had a vehicle waiting around the corner.
Police will be interviewing the woman to ascertain any further motive. She will be charged with aggravated kidnapping.
 

[MuffyBee]

The above article says it's believed McClain (the baby kidnapper) had a vehicle around the corner.  Was McClain from the neighborhood?  Had she been watching the family she stole the baby from?  Or was she parked around the corner and wandering about looking for opportunity?  I would think most people realize how much deep doo-doo they would be in if they kidnap a baby.  Aggravated kidnapping is a very serious charge.  Since there was an initial demand for money and then the baby was grabbed and taken away it really sounds odd.  I hope more information comes out soon. 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/25475499/baby-kidnapped-from-stephenville-home
Child kidnapped from Stephenville home found safe
Posted: May 09, 2014 11:42 AM CDT
Updated: May 09, 2014 9:19 PM CDT

TEPHENVILLE, Texas - A 2-month-old baby who was taken from her home in Stephenville in Erath County was found safe on Friday evening.

An AMBER Alert was issued on Friday morning for Addalie Grace Christensen, who was allegedly taken by suspect Latonya McLain, 38. McClain was arrested by police on Friday evening and told officers the baby was hers.

Police said McLain asked the baby’s mom for $5,000, and the mother said no. In response, McClain reportedly grabbed the baby in its baby carrier, and took off running.

The mother was taking another child of hers out of the car on Friday morning on Kight Avenue when McClain approached from behind, shoved the mother down and grabbed the baby.

"At this time we're still trying to determine motive, but no, she did not know the baby or the family,” said Chief Pat Bridges with the Stephenville Police Department.

Police said Friday night they got a tip from a friend of McClain’s, and they were able to find the child at a home in Dublin, Texas. The tip that broke case came from someone who knew the suspect and saw her with the child.

When police arrived, McClain apparently told them the baby was hers.

McClain’s parents were at the house as well.

"I do not know if she has any documented mental issues,” said Bridges. “She will be charged with aggravated kidnapping, and that's a first degree felony."

[MuffyBee]

Thank you for moving the thread on over to "Found Safe" Nut.  I hope we can learn in the very near future what was behind this. 

I think it's just crazy someone thinks they can just grab a two month old baby girl and run off after trying to get money.     It's not like grabbing someone's cell phone or wallet, which is bad enough.  McClain may end up in jail for aggravated kidnapping, which is a first degree felony, but sadly I don't think there is anything that can teach her to the value of a baby's life.      JMHO

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Police-searching-for-2-month-old-girl-258643611.html
Woman arrested after missing Stephenville infant found safe
Posted May 9, 2014, Updated May 10, 2014


Latonya McLain Credit: Erath County Jail
Latonya McLain, 38 was charged with kidnapping a two-month-old girl in Stephenville on May 9, 2014.

STEPHENVILLE — Police found a missing two-month-old girl, whose mother said a stranger took her outside the family's home in Stephenville, safe Friday afternoon thanks to tips from residents.
The girl, Addalie Grace Christensen, was found at the suspect parents' home in Dublin, Texas. The suspect, Latonya Suzette McLain, tried to claim the child was hers, police said.
"My understanding is that she claimed the child was hers, but we quickly determined it was not her baby," said Stephenville Police Chief Pat Bridges.
McLain was in custody and reportedly does not know the family. Bond was set at $50,000.
Police said she approached the girl's mother in her garage while the mother tended to her other children.
McLain allegedly demanded $5,000. When the mother said "no," she allegedly  grabbed the infant daughter while she was seated in a car in the driveway and fled the scene on foot in the 1000 block of Lingleville Street. Investigators believe McLain had a vehicle waiting around the corner.
Police will be interviewing the woman to ascertain any further motive. She was charged with aggravated kidnapping.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, authorities said the FBI, DPS and sheriff deputies joined police in their search for the child. They said they received a tip and even help from social media that pointed to McLain as a suspect.
"[The tipster] was someone who actually knew Mrs. McLain and had seen her with the baby," Bridges said.
McLain was arrested around 5 p.m.
On Friday night, News 8 talked with Daniel Christensen, Addalie's father.

"There's no way to describe the way it felt when I got the call this morning," Mr. Christensen said. "But, she's home, she's safe, and all good and healthy."
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Questions-swirl-around-why-mother-kidnapped-a-strangers-daughter-258770431.html
Questions swirl around mom accused of kidnapping infant
May 10, 2014

STEPHENVILLE — With baby girl Addalie Christensen returned safely home, the attention in Erath County on Saturday switched to why anyone would take the two-month-old in the first place.
Police arrested 38-year-old Latonya McLain on Friday evening.
McClain is accused of nabbing the infant outside of the Christensen's family home Friday morning, and then taking her to a trailer outside of Dublin, Texas.
McClain's parents refused to comment on Saturday, but the woman's ex-husband told News 8 he couldn't believe it.
"It's crazy, it's crazy," said the man, who asked not to be identified.  He said he and McLain shared custody of their eight-year-old boy.
"The girl definitely has problems, issues that she needs to deal with," he said.
Investigators were expected to continue questioning McLain over the weekend.  She is being held at the Erath County Jail on aggravated kidnapping charges.
She has past arrests for theft and driving with a suspended license, both misdemeanors, according to a background check.
Stephenville police Chief Pat Bridges said investigators zeroed in McLain when her name and photo started surfacing on social media as word of the kidnapping spread.
"There were remarks on Facebook indicating she might be responsible," he said on Friday night, confirming they got a tip that proved to be right.
The suspect's parents were also at home with McLain and the kidnapped baby, according to police.
But the accused woman's parents are elderly, and neighbors said it was unlikely they fully understood what was going on until police showed up asking questions.
McLain could face an initial court appearance next week.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/26129776/whatever-happened-to-kidnapped-baby
Whatever Happened To... Kidnapped Baby
July 28, 2014

FOX 4’s Heather Hays has an update on the case involving a 2-month-old baby who was kidnapped by a woman who tried to rob her mother in a Stephenville driveway.

Addalie Grace Christensen’s mother described how it happened on their quiet street on the morning of May 9.

“I don't know her. I just returned home with my daughter from doctor. I went to open back door and woman was there - put a fist into my stomach. She said don't do anything -- just give me your daughter,” the baby’s mother told 911 operators.

The mom said the woman demanded $5,000. She didn’t have that much money so the stranger snatched her daughter’s baby carrier and ran down the street.

An Amber Alert was issued and there was an intense search. But a grueling eight hours later police were able to put Addalie Grace safely back into to her mother’s arms.

Police said they found the baby at a home in Dublin about 10 miles away. She was with 38-year-old Latonya McClain.

 

McClain is still in the Erath County jail charged with aggravated kidnapping with a $50,000 bond. No trial date has been set.

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