ICE Arrests Suspected Kidnapper of 4-Year-Old Girl
Federal authorities revealed on Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained an undocumented immigrant suspected of abducting a 4-year-old girl from a laundromat in New York. The individual, Carlos Cortecorte, originally from Ecuador, was arrested on March 31, and deportation proceedings were initiated against him.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cortecorte had illegally entered the United States multiple times, specifically at least three times in 2020, only to be removed each time. He reportedly re-entered the country for a fourth time, but the details of that incident remain unclear.
The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) indicated that Cortecorte was arrested on March 28. He allegedly took a 4-year-old girl from the back of a laundromat in Patchogue without her mother’s knowledge. The mother, upon realizing her daughter was missing, alerted police. Officers reviewed surveillance footage and launched a search, ultimately locating the child in a nearby library’s play area. They apprehended Cortecorte close to the laundromat soon after.
He faces charges of second-degree kidnapping and endangering a child’s welfare, along with outstanding warrants. Although the SCPD reported the judge granted Cortecorte’s release under GPS monitoring during his arraignment, this decision drew significant attention.
During the court proceedings, Cortecorte’s attorney, Alexandra Dylov, argued for his release on the grounds that he had never previously interacted with law enforcement. She mentioned his belief that the girl was alone, stating that he had intended to take her to the library but faced a language barrier, suggesting it was a misunderstanding.
The laundromat owner shared that security footage captured Cortecorte engaging with the girl for several minutes, which raised suspicions. He recounted how the girl’s mother confronted Cortecorte at the library, leading to police involvement.
In response to the incident, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss commended ICE for their efforts, criticizing New York’s policies that allowed for Cortecorte’s release. She voiced concern about the implications of such political decisions on public safety, claiming they could contribute to further crime and victimization. Biss emphasized the need for prioritizing safety over politics.
