Man Allegedly Tried to Kidnap Boy, 3, Through Motel Window. The Child's Pregnant Babysitter Saved Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Kendall Irland.Photo:UpNorthLive/Youtube

UpNorthLive/Youtube

A Michigan man is in custody after he allegedly tried to kidnap a 3-year-old boy through a motel room window, according to police.

The suspect was arrested on March 15 after he allegedly “opened the window of the room and attempted to pull the child out of the window” at the motel in Mancelona Township, Mich., the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office said in astatementon Tuesday.

Irland, a friend of the child’s mother, was almost nine months pregnant and watching over the victim among other children, she said in an interview with9&10 News.

She recognized the suspect as a neighbor of the family’s, she told the outlet, adding that the family has been staying at the motel for a period.

Initially, she did not have any concerns about the suspect speaking with the child – until she realized he was allegedly trying to lure him out with the promise to take the child to his dad, she said in the interview.

“[The suspect] was telling him, ‘Come here, I’ll come help you find your dad,’” she alleged. That’s when her alarm bells went off.

She rushed to rescue the child. “I’ve never moved that quick in my entire life,” she told 9&10 News.

She then “slammed the window, locked it shut,” she told 9&10 News.

“I told my husband he needed to come inside because he was sitting in the truck right in front of the apartment," she told the outlet.

Mancelona Township man arrested for attempting to abduct child

The suspect then attempted to enter the room from the front but Irland and her husband managed to keep him out, police alleged in their statement.

The suspect was made to wait at the scene until authorities arrived, police claimed.

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The child’s father arrived at the location shortly before police did and has expressed his gratitude.

“I’m thankful. I mean, she’s pregnant right now dealing with a rough pregnancy…It was probably difficult for her,” he said, according to 9&10 News. “But I’m glad that her and my niece and her husband are safe and that…my kids are OK too.”

It wasn’t immediately clear if the suspect has entered pleas or retained an attorney.

source: people.com