Heather Magone, of Long Beach, has been charged with attempted kidnapping for allegedly attempting to unbuckle a baby from a stroller on April 6. She allegedly claimed to be the baby’s mother.
Magone, 40, was walking her dog at the corner of Laurelton Boulevard and West Penn Street, in Long Beach, and approached an 80-year-old man pushing a stroller with his great-granddaughter. Magone allegedly approached the stroller, started unbuckling the safety straps, and attempted to take the baby from the stroller.
The man wrestled Magone to the ground and held her there until the Long Beach Police Department could arrive. Officers arrived at the scene one minute after the first 911 call came, city police said.
Stefan Chernaski, the department’s deputy inspector, commended the actions of the baby’s great grandfather.
“This man was able to protect his great-granddaughter from a violent attempted abduction but also had the situational awareness to hold onto the stroller with his other hand,” he said. “Officer Gabrielle Gustafson arriving in one minute is an excellent example of our very quick response time here in Long Beach.
Magone was arraigned in Long Beach City Court on April 7 and held on a $50,000 cash/$100,000 bond bail.
Magone is represented by Jesse Lloyd Nadel. Her next court appearance is set for April 15.