Woman arrested after attempting to take child at Miami International Airport, MDSO says
A woman was arrested at Miami International Airport on Tuesday morning after she took a young boy from his mother and then refused to give him back, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the mother and her 4-year-old son, who was crying, were in line for a check-in counter when 23-year-old Alvina Agba approached and offered to help soothe the boy.
The boy's mother allowed Agba to hold her son in an effort to calm him down, according to the arrest report. While still holding the boy, police said Agba walked out of the line and away from the mother.
Woman refused to give child back to his mother
Investigators said the mother followed Agba, who eventually sat down on the floor, and asked her to give back her son.
Agba replied, "No, this is my child," as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, according to the report.
When the mother went to take her son, police said Agba pushed her back, grabbed the boy's legs and refused to let him go.
Bystander rushed in to help
CBS News Miami spoke with Naylet Montano, who said, "I ran over to see what was going on. When I got close, I noticed a woman on the floor, strongly gripping the little boy."
"In that moment, I realized the body was in danger. I grabbed him and ran. The woman on the ground got up and tried to take the boy back from me. I wouldn't let her. I ran behind the counter and crouched down to protect the boy. She tried to get under the counter. But when police got there, she ran away."
Montano also said, "I am a mother and when I saw the kid in danger, it was my instinct to protect the kid."
According to the police report, Agba followed Montano and yelled at her to give back the child. Three men then stood in between Montano and Agba to prevent her from taking the child, investigators said.
Police said Agba then left the area and was found at Checkpoint 5, where she was taken into custody.
During questioning, Agba said she was trying to soothe the child and remembered a wall with a rainbow on it that she thought would help calm him down, according to the report.
Agba said she couldn't remember what happened when the boy's mother came to get him and said, "She only did it because God told her to do it," the report stated.
Agba was arrested and has been charged with battery and interference of custody.