By Wesley Schnell
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly has announced an indictment for Heather Magone, a Long Beach resident. Magone was charged with attempted kidnapping in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
On May 28, Magone appeared in Nassau County Court before Judge Robert Bogle, where she pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond or a $100,000 partially secured bond. Magone was ordered to wear an electronic monitor, should she make bail. The court also issued two orders of protection.
According to Long Beach Police, Magone was arrested on April 6 after approaching a 15-month-old in a stroller being pushed by her 79-year-old great-grandfather on West Penn Street. Magone allegedly tried to unstrap the safety buckles in an attempt to take the baby out of the stroller.
The great-grandfather struggled with Magone, sustaining cuts to his face, hands and knees while restraining her until Long Beach Police Officer Gabrielle Gustafson arrived, roughly one minute after LBPD received 911 calls regarding the incident. According to LBPD reports, Magone allegedly made initial claims the baby was her own.
“Thanks to his quick thinking and heroic intervention, the child’s great-grandfather was able to prevent the unthinkable,” said D.A. Donnelly. “My office is committed to making sure all families feel safe and secure on our streets, and we intend to hold this defendant fully accountable for the trauma she caused.”
Magone is due back in court on June 23.