A 4-year-old girl from Long Island has been safely reunited with her family after a frightening kidnapping incident. Authorities in Suffolk County reported that the child was abducted from a laundromat by a suspect who cunningly led her away while her mother was nearby.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Carlos Corte, allegedly escorted the young girl out of the back of Laundry Kingdom, located in Patchogue, while her mother remained inside, according to police statements.
The mother, realizing her daughter was missing, immediately alerted authorities around noon on Saturday. Responding officers arrived promptly to the location and began examining surveillance footage for clues.
Fortunately, during an extensive search of the vicinity, the child’s mother discovered her in the children’s section of the Patchogue-Medford Library, which is situated just a short distance from the laundromat.
Corte, who resides in Patchogue, now faces charges of second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child. It was also revealed that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
He is currently being held at the Sixth Precinct and is expected to appear in court for arraignment at the First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday.
