When a Florida woman scooped up her 3-year-old boy from her backyard and tried to leave with him, concerned neighbors sprung into action. He later claimed he only wanted to help the child, according to police and new body camera footage.
Pamela Monsalve, 39, was playing outside her home on Hallandale Beach on Nov. 25 when a nearby good Samaritan saw her jump over a fence and pick up her toddler, leading to kidnapping charges. It is being said. According to an arrest report obtained by NBC 6..
When she allegedly tried to leave with the child in her arms, neighbors immediately flocked to her and one of the locals took a photo and reported the child's mother, wondering what she was doing. I asked.
At one point, a pair of neighbors called out to her to stop walking, according to surveillance footage obtained. By Local 10.
Monsalve let go of the child and rushed back to the house before police could arrest her.
“Be sure to be aware of your children and your surroundings, make sure your neighbors know you, and make sure they get to know you,” said Hallandale Beach Police Department Lt. Megan Jones. Please do so,” he told the police station.
“This is an example of 'know thy neighbor,' and neighbors were able to help prevent this child from being permanently removed.”
According to body camera footage obtained by NBC 6, Monsalve tried to justify his actions by claiming he was trying to take care of the child.
“He was outside, naked,” she said in the video. “Everything was naked, so I called for people around me to call the police, but no one called the police.”
She also claimed on the video show that he was at the playground, according to Local 10.
Authorities said the suspect and the victim's young family did not know each other.
“It is hard to imagine anything that would cause a parent more extreme fear and distress than for someone unknown to enter their property, their fenced property, and remove their 3-year-old child,” the prosecutor said. said. At last week's public hearing, According to WSNV.
Monsalve was being held without bail as of Monday night, according to local media.
