Photo Courtesy of DA Katz’s Office
“This mother fought to save her son. Never underestimate the strength of a mom,” DA Katz said.
By Forum Staff
A Fresh Meadows man has been indicted by a borough grand jury for allegedly grabbing a 5-year-old boy off the sidewalk as he walked with his family earlier this month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.
James McGonagle, 24, was arraigned Friday afternoon on a two-count indictment charging him with attempted kidnapping in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered to return to court on Sept. 8.
Courtesy of NYPD
McGonagle allegedly can be seen on this security footage carrying the boy toward his car.
According to the charges, at approximately 8 p.m. on July 17, in front of 117-07 Hillside Ave., the defendant was observed on video surveillance exit a red vehicle that had been parked on the street. The defendant allegedly charged at the 5-year-old victim, picked him up and tossed him into the back seat of the red car. The victim’s mother ran to the vehicle, reached inside the opened rear window, grabbed her son and attempted to pull him out of the car. McGonagle allegedly clutched the child’s legs from the opposite side of the car and attempted to pull him back into the vehicle.
During the struggle, a man who had been seated in the vehicle was overheard asking McGonagle, “What are you doing?” The defendant allegedly responded, “We are taking the kid.” The boy’s mother was able to pull her son through the window and out of the car. Seconds later, the defendant sped off.
McGonagle was apprehended on July 16, at approximately 12:26 a.m., after being observed by police officers inside a Brooklyn hospital being treated for facial injuries.
“This is a parent’s worst fear. This mother fought to save her son. Never underestimate the strength of a mom,” said Katz, a mother of two young boys. “Thankfully he has been apprehended and will face justice.”
If convicted, McGonagle faces up to 15 years in prison.
