Nassau Woman Arrested After Attempting to Kidnap 6-Year-Old Girl: Police

A Roosevelt woman was arrested Tuesday night after police say she attempted to kidnap a 6-year-old girl in Freeport.

According to detectives, at 8:30 p.m., Lela Witts, 20, of East Pennywood Avenue, while inside Liberty Tax Services, located at 83 West Merrick Rd., grabbed a 6-year-old girl by the arm and pulled her outside to the sidewalk. Police say the girl's mother, who was present at the scene, struggled with Witts until she was able to free her daughter and retreat back into the store, where she called police. A witness followed Witts across the street into a diner and pointed her out to police.

No injuries were reported.

Witts is charged with second-degree kidnapping (attempt), second-degree unlawful imprisonment and was arraigned on Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department