Dad arrested, Amber Alert canceled for missing 7-year-old girl in Queens

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
ELMHURST, Queens (WABC) -- An Amber Alert has been canceled after a 7-year-old girl in Queens was found unharmed.

The girl was abducted on Grand Avenue at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
[Ads /]
Police say her 40-year-old father, Jean Puello, attempted to have sex with his ex-girlfriend, the child's mother. She said no, and that's when he allegedly became violent.

The suspect is accused of twisting her wrist, taking out a knife, attempting to put it on her throat, and telling her he would kill her.

The 29-year-old woman fled to the apartment building's laundry room, where she called police.

The suspect allegedly grabbed the couple's older daughter, and drove off.



The girl was dropped off near a relative's home on Wednesday evening and Puello was arrested later Wednesday night.
[Ads /]
He is facing charges of attempted rape and menacing in connection to the attack on the girl's mother.



At this point he is not charged with taking his daughter.

Along with the 7-year-old, the couple also has a 10-month-old baby girl who was left unharmed during the time of the incident.

MORE NEWS: Parents charged after baby left in hot car on Long Island
Parents charged after baby left in hot car




----------
* More Queens news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.