Babysitter Kidnaps East Orange Infant, Caught In NY: Police

Police have safely recovered an 11-month-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped by his babysitter in New Jersey.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the boy’s mother left him at her East Orange home in the care of Christiana Fitzpatrick, 20, of Chicago.

But when the mother returned home around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, both her son and Fitzpatrick were missing, according to prosecutors.

After making repeated attempts to get in touch with Fitzpatrick and have return with her child – which Fitzpatrick allegedly refused to do - the victimized mother contacted authorities at 5:45 a.m., prosecutors stated.

With assistance from the East Orange Police, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Unit, New Jersey State Police, Nassau County Police and West Hempstead Police, Fitzpatrick and the child were located and taken into custody on Wednesday in West Hempstead, N.Y.

Authorities charged Fitzpatrick with kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and interfering with custody.

Initial reports from the scene indicated the child appeared to be fine, but he was transported to the hospital for evaluation, according to prosecutors.

As of Wednesday, Fitzpatrick was awaiting extradition from New York to New Jersey. Her bail was set at $300,000.

Photo courtesy of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office