NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Public Safety Director Sheilah Coley announced that Christiana Fitzpatrick, 20, of Chicago has been arrested and charged with kidnapping an 11-month old baby boy from East Orange.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Fitzpatrick, who was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child and interfering with custody, was arrested in West Hempstead, N.Y.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the mother of the child returned to her East Orange home, where she had allegedly left her son in the custody of Fitzpatrick. Both the baby and Fitzpatrick were missing. The mother made repeated attempts to get in touch with Fitzpatrick and have her return with the baby. When Fitzpatrick allegedly refused, the mother contacted authorities at about 5:45 a.m.
With assistance from the East Orange Police, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Unit, New Jersey State Police, Nassau County Police and West Hempstead Police, Fitzpatrick was located and apprehended.
Initial reports from the scene indicate the child appears to be fine but he was transported to the hospital for evaluation, according to Essex County Chief of Detective Quovella Spruill.
Bail was set at $300,000. Fitzpatrick is awaiting extradition from New York back to New Jersey.
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