Three new T.O. mothers thwart abduction attempt

Apr. 29 2006
CTV.ca News Staff

Three new mothers faced every parent's worst nightmare when two women allegedly tried to abduct a baby right before their eyes.

The mothers were with their newborns in a room at Toronto's Humber River Regional Hospital on Saturday. Two women came in, claiming to be hospital volunteers, and said they could teach the new moms how to breastfeed.

But their behaviour caught the attention of one mother. She thought the women were acting suspiciously, and was quickly proven right.

"At one point another mother in the room went to the washroom facilities. At this time they took possession of that mother's child," police Sgt. Tim Oberfrank said.

"The original mother who ... spoke to them became concerned and said she was going to call hospital staff as they attempted to leave with that child."
Instead of leaving with the infant, they put the baby in a crib and fled the hospital.

Quick thinking by hospital security staff led police to the suspects by 1:30 p.m. After viewing surveillance camera videotapes, a security guard recognized one of the women from a previous unrelated incident.

The two women were arrested by police at a nearby home, approximately three hours after the alleged incident occurred.

Mothers entering the hospital on Saturday told CTV News that the security breach is a big concern to them.

"It makes me feel bad because I personally have a son myself and it almost feels like you don't feel security," one mother told CTV Toronto. "Like just anybody can walk in and take your child."

Police say this could have been a disastrous situation had it not been for an alert new mom.

Investigators charged Amanda Sukhdeo, 18, and Giovanna Saladino, 19, with abduction. They are scheduled to appear in court on Sunday morning.

© 2006 CTV Inc.