A man is under arrest after attempting to kidnap a baby from an area hospital.
On June 28, 2021, Branson police officers responded to the Labor and Delivery floor at Cox Medical Center Branson for a report of a male attempting to kidnap an infant. Officers quickly arrived and were able to arrest the suspect, who is also the baby’s father.
The initial investigation revealed that the new infant was a ward of the state and that the father attempted to leave the floor with the child in a duffel bag. An alert nurse felt something was wrong and challenged the male, who attempted to flee the area.
Due to security measures, the male was unable to leave the monitored obstetrical unit and was contacted by hospital security. The security officer was able to detain the male until officers arrived and arrested him.
“We are proud of the way Cox Medical Center Branson handled this situation and the partnership that the police department has with them. This is why it is so important for all organizations to have a plan in place and to regularly train for those ‘what if’ scenarios,” said Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews.
The suspect was charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child by the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. This is a continuing investigation and no further information is available at this time.
(Press Release from the City of Branson)
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