The Atlanta police have arrested Declarence McGhee, a 31-year-old man who attempted to kidnap an infant from a babysitter in broad daylight on Thursday, April 21.
According to Newsweek, McGhee tried to snatch the baby from the stroller while the babysitter was pushing and walking on the BeltLine at around 11:00 a.m. He started shouting at the babysitter when she would not let go.
The man and the babysitter fought for control of the stroller until bystanders, including an off-duty police officer and some security guards, were on the scene to rescue the woman and the infant. They made sure that McGhee would not escape as they waited for the police to arrive.
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"There are Good Samaritans"
One person who witnessed the incident said he could not believe that someone would attempt to kidnap a baby in broad daylight along a popular stretch of the walkway, which was nearest the rail station. Arthur Harden, who was doing some landscaping work nearby, told WRDW that he saw many bikers intervene when they heard the screaming at the BeltLine.
"They came to the rescue for her," Harden said. "There are Good Samaritans out there," he added and said he would not know what would happen if the babysitter and the child were not rescued.
The babysitter and the infant's names were not identified to the press. McGhee, however, was charged with simple battery and attempted kidnapping. He has been held at the Fulton County Jail but it's still unclear if McGhee knew the babysitter or if he has a relationship with the infant.
Records show that the police arrested McGhee more than 20 times since 2008 within Fulton County and Dekalb County.. Some of his arrests were in relation to violations of his probation.
Terror on the Beltline - ATL police say Declarence McGhee approached a woman on the eastside trail and tried to kidnap an infant she was babysitting... and it all happened in broad daylight!!! A witness shares the chilling story with me tonight at 6p on @cbs46 pic.twitter.com/sp2KMqTyK9
— Savannah Louie (@savannahlouieTV) April 22, 2022
The incident, however, has some parents concerned about the security measures on the BeltLine. One father said that his young son likes to run and explore the walkway but the attack has made him realize that parents should keep their children closer to them when using the path.
Atlanta Police Stops Another Attempted Kidnapping
It comes after the Atlanta police released a bodycam video of another attempted kidnapping incident. In early April, authorities were able to rescue a 9-year-old boy from a car thief who took off with the vehicle while the boy was still strapped in the backseat. The police did a PIT maneuver, leading to the car crashing to a stop, the man's arrest, and the child's rescue.
According to 11 Alive, the mother left her car running as she parked by the Goodwill store. As soon as she stepped out of the car, the man swooped in and drove fast. This led to a wild chase between the thief and the cops within five minutes of getting the report.
Police Pilot Leroy Champion, along with Detective Alexandria Ward, said their police units were flying in the streets when they found out a child was inside the car. The chase lasted for at least an hour until the PIT maneuver was laid out.
The boy was taken to the hospital as a medical precaution while the car thief will be likely charged with endangering a child, aside from kidnapping and vehicle theft.
