A Norristown man has been charged with attempting to snatch a 2-year-old Upper Darby child from her mother’s arms, claiming that he believed it was his daughter.
Upper Darby police have charged Khrishon Parker, 22, with kidnapping of a minor, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint of a minor, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and simple assault.
Khrishon Parker, 22. (COURTESY PHOTO)
According to the affidavit of probable cause released by police, the incident happened about 9:25 a.m. Wednesday in front of the 2nd Ward Playground.
The affidavit continued:
Police received a call for a disturbance in that area and when Officer Jacqueline Benedict arrived, she found the victim who was holding her 2-year-old daughter.
The woman told police she was walking from her vehicle, when a Black male, who she did not know, claimed that the child was his daughter.
The man demanded that she give the child to him and punched her and took the child.
A witness then intervened and detained Parker while the woman called 911.
With assistance from the witness, Patrol Officer Benedict took Parker into custody and he was taken to the police station.
At the police station additional information was obtained.
At 10:09 a.m., Detective William H. Gottsch spoke with the victim, who said she had just returned home from taking her son to school when she saw Parker across Emerson Avenue from the front of her residence.
She said that the man claimed, “That’s my daughter,” demanded he give her to him and began walking toward her. The mother picked up the child and fled on Emerson toward Crosley Avenue, banging on doors while screaming for help, but Parker pursued her.
The woman said stated Parker followed her to the elevated lawn of a residence at the corner so she jumped from the yard onto the sidewalk of Crosley and ran toward Second Ward Playground where Parker caught up to her.
She said Parker struck her and tugged the child in an effort to rip her from her arms, and she began screaming, which brought over the witness, who separated them and told her to call 911.
The mother showed detectives where Parker had tugged her daughter with such force that the child’s shirt was torn.
The witness told Gottsch that he was inside of his residence on the 7100 block of Emerson Avenue, when he heard a commotion and yelling outside.
He went outside and heard a woman in distress and followed the sound of the commotion, which took him to Crosley and Emersonavenues where he observed a Black male attempting to forcefully remove a child from a woman’s arms.
The witness stated that the man yelled, “My name is Christopher! This is my baby! I’m from Norristown!”
The witness told detectives he knew the mother, the child as well as the child’s father and the man in question was not the child’s father, so he separated them and put the man against the fence of the playground and told woman to call 911. He remained until the police arrived.
Parker was arraigned before District Judge Cullen Grimes who set bail at 10 percent of $500,000, which Parker could not post and so taken to Delaware County prison to await an Oct. 30 preliminary hearing before District Judge Andrew Goldberg.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt credited the mother for trusting her instincts and the witness for doing the right thing.
“Thank God the mother was observant and trusted her instincts when she realized something wasn’t right,” Bernhardt said. “She immediately separated herself and her child from the suspect. Most importantly, I want to thank the neighbor who heard the screams, recognized the victim and her child, and didn’t hesitate to get involved. His courage and quick action in detaining the suspect until police arrived deserve our deepest respect and gratitude.”
Bernhardt continued.
“I will not give the defendant a defense for his actions. What I will say is shame on him for attempting to approach and touch a mother and her young child. He has been charged and will face a judge to answer for his actions,” he said. “I want the public to know this was an isolated incident. We remind everyone, if you see something suspicious or out of the ordinary, call 911 immediately. As always, we appreciate our community’s support and cooperation.”
Originally Published: October 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM EDT