Terrifying Ordeal: Mother Confronts Man Allegedly Attempting to Abduct 18-Month-Old from Local Park

Yinnar, Victoria – A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded at Centenary Park when she found herself face-to-face with a man who allegedly snatched her 18-month-old baby from a playground. In a harrowing account shared with 7 NEWS, the distraught mother, aged 30, recounted the chilling moment when the unidentified man picked up her child from an in-ground trampoline and began walking away, his silence leaving her paralyzed with fear.

The incident took place on Friday, May 5, at approximately 1:45 PM. The mother, accompanied by her five children, had sought solace in the tranquil surroundings of Centenary Park in Yinnar, Victoria. However, their peaceful outing quickly transformed into a nightmare when the unknown man approached her youngest child.

“He said nothing. He just looked at me dead in my eyes,” the mother recounted, her voice filled with anguish. Her baby, happily engrossed in play on the trampoline, was abruptly lifted by the man who showed no signs of communication or intention.

With a surge of panic, the mother leaped to her feet and confronted the man as he attempted to walk away with her precious child. “Even when I said, ‘Can I help you?’ (he said) nothing, he didn’t say one word,” she revealed, the memory etched vividly in her mind.

Unfazed by her desperate pleas, the man remained silent as she summoned every ounce of strength and raced after him. In a courageous act of maternal instinct, she managed to free her child from his grasp, albeit causing minor injuries in the process.

“At that point, I jumped up and just grabbed her legs and yanked her back,” the mother shared, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and guilt. “I’m pretty sure I hurt her in the process, but I just wanted to get her back off him.”

The 18-month-old, fortunately, suffered only minor injuries, including scratches to her arms and foot. However, the alleged abductor reportedly fled towards the nearby public bathrooms before authorities arrived at the scene.

The identity of the man remains undisclosed, but according to a Victoria Police spokesman, a 45-year-old Moe man has been interviewed in connection with the incident. While he has been released pending further inquiries, an active investigation is underway to determine the full extent of his involvement.

The traumatized mother expressed her shock and bewilderment, questioning the motives of anyone who would target such a defenseless infant. “She’s just so little. I couldn’t imagine what anyone would want with such a little baby,” she lamented, her voice tinged with a mix of anger and sorrow.

Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or possesses relevant information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Concerned individuals can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, hoping that collective efforts will shed light on this terrifying ordeal and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.