A Long Island, New York, man is behind bars after police claim he lured a toddler from a laundromat while her mother was distracted.
Suffolk County Police alleged that a stranger, Carlos Corte, led a 4-year-old girl straight out the back exit of The Laundry Kingdom of Patchogue before leaving the area with the child.
The alleged kidnapping attempt occurred just after noon on Saturday, March 28, according to a statement from police.
The mom was in the laundromat with another of her children when she realized that the girl was missing.
“Her mother reported her missing, and patrol officers responded to the scene, where they reviewed surveillance video and began canvassing the area,” reads a statement from police. “During the search, the mother located her daughter in the children’s play area of the Patchogue-Medford Library,” located down the street from where the alleged kidnapping occurred.
A patrol officer then spotted Corte walking near the laundromat and immediately took him into custody.
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The little girl is not believed to have been physically assaulted in any way during the alleged incident. It is currently unclear how long the girl was missing.
“Following an investigation by Fifth Squad detectives, Corte, 38, of 26 Camille Ave., Patchogue, was charged with Kidnapping 2nd Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and for an outstanding warrant,” the statement added.
Corte was held overnight and due to be arraigned on Sunday, March 29.
It is unclear at the time of publication if Cortes entered a plea during his arraignment. Information on his possible lawyer could also not be accessed.
A motive behind the alleged kidnapping was also unclear from the police statement.
Us Weekly made calls to numbers affiliated with Corte but was unable to reach him for comment at the time of publication.
Anyone with any information that might be pertinent to the investigation is asked to send tips to Suffolk County Crimestoppers.
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You can also call the department’s tip line at 1-800-220-TIPS (8477).
In New York, kidnapping in the second degree is defined as abducting another person, which includes unlawfully restraining them and holding them in a place where they are not likely to be found.
It is a Class B felony, and those convicted face up to 25 years in state prison. The prosecution must prove that the defendant acted with the intent to prevent the victim’s liberation, which may involve using or threatening deadly physical force.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or are the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at tips.fbi.gov
