MIAMI (WSVN) - Police have arrested a woman who was caught on surveillance video allegedly trying to kidnap a child in Miami’s Design District.
Miami Police said Katherine Hatcher, 50, was arrested thanks to an anonymous tip, Monday.
The video released by police showed Hatcher walking near Swampspace Gallery along North Miami Avenue and 39th Street on March 4.
Miami Police Officer Michael Vega said, “We’re glad to say that she is in custody, and she has been arrested and charged.”
Officials said a 6-year-old boy was at the aforementioned place to spend time with the owner and the owner’s daughter when Hatcher walked inside from the back of the store.
Swampspace owner Oliver Sanchez said he asked her to leave.
He described Hatcher as disheveled, rambling on about the boy not belonging there and even claimed she was his family.
As she was leaving, officials said Hatcher grabbed the child, later identified as Saul, by the arm and walked away with him.
“When I caught up to him about a half-block away, and I asked him to stop, ‘Let’s talk,'” Sanchez said. “Saul was, at that point, he was nervous, and I asked again, ‘Do you know her? Do you know her name?’ He didn’t know her. That’s when I broke her grip. She was going on about calling the cops, and I said, ‘I already did.'”
Sanchez said Hatcher simply walked away right after.
His daughter said police believe she is a previous offender.
“She’s been spotted previously approaching children on the avenues is what we heard from authorities,” said Lucia Sanchez. “She just needs to be found.”
Vega said, “This was an example whether this man did the correct thing, and it turned out well. He didn’t know if this woman was armed. He didn’t know if her intentions were to cause harm, but he did the right thing. He got the kid safe, and we appreciate what he did.”
Hatcher faces kidnapping charges and is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
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