Long Island woman faces multiple charges in alleged kidnapping attempt of toddler
LONG BEACH, Long Island (WABC) -- A Long Beach woman was indicted Thursday for attempting to kidnap a 15-month-old child while her great-grandfather was taking her for an afternoon walk.
Long Beach police say Heather Magone, 40, who is a social worker, claimed the baby was hers and tried to take her from her stroller.
This happened last month at the intersection of Laurelton Boulevard and West Penn Street in Long Beach.
Authorities say the toddler's 79-year-old great-grandfather knocked Magone down and stopped her as neighbors called 911.
"My grandfather, he is going to be 80," she said. "He could have not fought her off. She could have torn her out of the stroller. She could have knocked him down. He could have gotten hurt if he wasn't fighting for dear life. I think it was a mixture of adrenaline and of course making sure his great-granddaughter was OK," the girl's mother said last month.
The little girl was not harmed.
Magone was arraigned on attempted kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment charges, according to Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly. She pleaded not guilty.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond, and $100,000 partially secured bond. If released, she would be required to wear an electronic monitor.
"This defendant's alleged actions were deeply disturbing and played out every family's worst nightmare," said Donnelly in prepared remarks.
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