Heather Magone allegedly attempted to forcefully remove a toddler from her stroller while the child was on an afternoon walk with her great-grandfather
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Long Beach woman has been indicted for attempting to kidnap a 15-month-old child while her great-grandfather was taking her for an afternoon walk in Long Beach.
Heather Magone, 40, was arraigned today before Judge Robert Bogle on grand jury indictment charges of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); Endangering the Welfare of a Child (an A misdemeanor); and Reckless Endangerment (an A misdemeanor).
The defendant pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond and $100,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was ordered to wear an electronic monitor should she make bail and two orders of protection were also issued.
Magone is due back in court on June 23, 2026, and faces up to 3-1/2 to 15 years in prison if convicted.
“This defendant’s alleged actions were deeply disturbing and played out every family’s worst nightmare. A great-grandfather and his great-granddaughter were simply enjoying an afternoon stroll in their neighborhood when Heather Magone allegedly tried to tear the 15-month-old child from her stroller,” said DA Donnelly. “Thanks to his quick-thinking and heroic intervention, the child’s great-grandfather was able to prevent the unthinkable. 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.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment, on April 6, 2026, a 79-year-old man was taking his 15-month-old great-granddaughter out for a walk in her baby stroller on West Penn Street in Long Beach.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., the defendant was walking her dog barefoot behind the victims when she allegedly ran up to them.
The defendant allegedly scratched and bit the great-grandfather as she attempted to forcefully grab onto the stroller. He sustained cuts to his face, hands, and knees.
A struggle ensued and the defendant allegedly ripped the child’s great-grandfather’s hands off the stroller. The stroller subsequently toppled over with the toddler strapped inside.
The defendant allegedly continued to resist and reach for the stroller until the victim’s great-grandfather managed to push her away. He restrained the defendant on the ground until members of the Long Beach Police Department arrived.
When police arrived at the scene, the defendant stood up and allegedly attempted to remove the toddler from the stroller, unzipping and ripping the child’s sleep sack.
The defendant was arrested on April 6, 2026, by members of the Long Beach Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Julia Iacono of the County Court Trial Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Dana Grossblatt, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Daryl Levy. The defendant is represented by Lloyd Nadel, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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