Watch CBS News

Woman wanted in attempted baby abduction at Long Island mall

VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. -- Police have released surveillance images of a woman who they say is wanted for an attempted abduction of a baby at a store on Long Island, CBS New York reports.

It happened Thursday at the Green Acres Mall Kohl's department store in Valley Stream, N.Y.

The station reported that Kristen Powers was in the first-floor bathroom with her 1-year-old child when police said another woman walked in and said, "That is a beautiful baby."

After walking around the bathroom, the suspect approached Powers, grabbed the baby's arm and said "Give me the baby," police said, according to the station.

"She put her hand on his forearm and as soon as she did that, I pushed her hand away and she said 'give me the baby' again, a second time," Powers said.

Powers said she managed to run from the bathroom with her son in her arms, fumbling with her belongings.

"I happened to run into an officer who was in Kohl's as part of holiday security," Powers said.

The station reported Powers said that within three minutes of approaching the officer, there were eight police officers at the scene.

According to the station, police said the suspect left the store in a black livery car.

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic woman, 5-feet, 5-inches tall, with long blonde hair. She was wearing a blue jacket, a yellow shirt and a multi-colored skirt.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.