A man that was arrested for choking and attempting to kidnap a baby in a checkout line at a Walmart has been identified as a former pastor.
“I’m taking the baby, I’m stealing her. I’m taking her”
Oleh Zhownirovych from New Jersey, was charged with felony, aggravated battery, and attempted kidnapping when he choked a 4-month-old baby in a checkout line.
The child’s mother, Quisha Hill, said that Zhownirovych grabbed her daughter’s car seat that was placed inside the shopping cart and said “I’m taking the baby, I’m stealing her. I’m taking her.” He also allegedly put his arms around the baby and tried to choke her.
Upon hearing the commotion, a shopper and a security guard immediately came to their rescue and tackled Zhownirovych. He was held to the ground until police came and arrested him.
The man was a former pastor
According to reports, the man that attempted to choke and kidnap hill’s daughter was a former pastor at a New Jersey Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
A spokesperson from Walmart said, “Our main concern right now is for our customer and her child. We’re appalled this happened in our store, and we’re working with police to make sure they have all the information they need.”
Thankfully, the baby was not seriously injured after the attack.
Make sure that your child is safe at all times
Keeping your child safe at all times is a top priority. Here are some safety tips that you should keep in mind when it comes to your child:
- If you or your kids are going outside, make sure to put them in a stroller, and use all of the straps so that they’re safe.
- When you’re driving, make sure to use a car seat for your child and place it in the back seat of your car. Follow the instructions on installing the car seat to make sure that your child is secure.
- Always keep an eye on your children. When in the supermarket, never leave your child alone in the cart. Your child should always be within your vision.
- Be wary of strangers trying to get close. Some people like to get close to babies to play with them; but others might not have the best intentions. Use your best judgment to gauge whether a stranger would do something to you or your baby, trust your instincts.
READ: Watch: Social experiment shows how easy it is to abduct children
Sources: nydailynews.com, people.com, fox4kc.com, webmd.com
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