2016 in Review: Woman Kidnaps Baby in King of Prussia

This story originally appeared on Patch in April of 2016.

A Tredyffrin Township woman who has been arrested for kidnapping a newborn Thursday at the King of Prussia Mall told authorities she recently had a baby who passed away and in "an out of body experience," took the stranger's child because "I just wanted my baby."

According to a criminal complaint provided by Upper Merion Police, 32-year-old Cherie Amoore told investigators she had a baby in February that lived just a few hours. When she held 7-week-old Ahsir Simmons, the "feelings rushed back."

Police have not confirmed the story provided by Amoore is accurate.

Amoore is facing felony kidnapping charges after taking the infant baby boy from the mall mall food court around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.

The search for the baby boy prompted an Amber Alert and a statewide search for hours on Thursday. The baby was found unharmed at her home at 10:18 p.m. He was sleeping in a car seat owned by Amoore.
When investigators went to Amoore's home on Thursday night, she answered the door and said "I took the baby and I am sorry," according to the criminal complaint. She told investigators she did not go to the mall with the intent to "steal a baby."

According to information from the District Attorney's office, the alleged kidnapping happened after Amoore struck up a conversation with the baby's mother at the mall and followed them to the food court. When the mother was helping her older son, Amoore walked away with the infant, leaving through a door near the Bonefish Grill restaurant, police said.

Contrary to initial information, the baby's mother never consented to allowing Amoore to hold her infant, the complaint said.

Investigators said Amoore took the baby to her house, changed its clothing from the outfit he was wearing at the mall and put his original clothes in her car, where they were located by police.

In an interview with 6ABC Thursday night after being reunited with her baby, the infant's mother said "I would like to thank God for allowing my baby to come back. And, I want to thank the Upper Merion Police Department, and everybody on social media that helped me get my baby back. I want to thank you so much."

Amoore is facing the following charges: kidnapping a minor; unlawful restraint; false imprisonment; interference with the custody of a child; concealment in the whereabouts of a child and other related charges, the DA said.

Her bail was set at $500,000 and she is currently lodged in Montgomery County Prison.

The charges follow a joint investigation by Upper Merion Police Department, Montgomery County detectives and the FBI.

6ABC confirmed that Amoore is the daughter of Republican Party of Pennsylvania Deputy Chairman Renee Amoore, who is also a panelist on the network's show, "Inside Story."

Image via DA.