A Long Beach woman has been indicted for allegedly attempting to kidnap a 15-month-old child while her great-grandfather was taking her for an afternoon walk in Long Beach.
On April 6, 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., Heather Magone was walking her dog barefoot behind the victims when she allegedly ran up to them.
Magone 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.
Magone 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. Officers then arrested Magone.
Magone, 40, was arraigned on May 28 before Judge Robert Bogle on grand jury indictment charges of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (a Class C violent felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Reckless Endangerment (both Class A misdemeanors). She pleaded not guilty.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond, and $100,000 partially secured bond. She was ordered to wear an electronic monitor in the event that she makes bail, and two orders of protection were also issued.
Magone is due back in court on June 23 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,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne 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.”