Woman Accused Of Stealing Toddler From Hospital ER

A Yonkers woman is accused of trying to steal a toddler in a stroller from the emergency department of a local hospital. Laysha Machado, 28, was arraigned Aug. 12 following an indictment, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced.

The 28-year-old was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury on:

• Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class E felony
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a misdemeanor

If you, or anyone you know, has information about potential crimes related to Machado, you or they are encouraged to come forward and notify local police.

The indictment alleges that on Feb. 15, Machado entered the emergency room of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers and walked out with a stroller occupied by another person’s child.

A hospital security guard chased her and held her until Yonkers police arrived. The 2-year-old was safely returned to its mother.

The indictment alleges the toddler was “exposed to a risk of serious physical injury.”

Following arraignment before Westchester County Court Judge David Zuckerman, Machado was sent to Westchester County Jail. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 3. The case is being handled by the Special Prosecutions Division.

Remember, a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.