A 47-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a 4-year-old boy from his grandmother outside a McDonald's in Brooklyn, authorities reported.
Chrissy Payne, of Flatlands, was taken into custody on Friday evening, several days after the incident occurred on Eastern Parkway near Utica Avenue in Crown Heights. Police have charged Payne with attempted kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.
The incident unfolded when Payne allegedly grabbed the boy, J’Marke Roberts, from his 66-year-old grandmother. According to sources, the suspect attempted to cross the street with the child before the boy's mother, Anyia James Roberts, intervened. Roberts, who is reportedly seven months pregnant, managed to retrieve her son from Payne.
During the struggle, Payne allegedly held onto the child's shirt, leading to a tug-of-war between her, the boy's mother, and grandmother. The child began to cry, but was eventually secured by his family. Payne then fled the scene without the child.
No injuries were reported during the encounter. The boy, J'Marke, was reportedly back at school by Thursday. His father, Gentle Roberts, described his wife as a hero for her actions during the attempted abduction.