Child kidnapper arrested after rescuing victim: report

Officials reportedly found the child and the suspect nearly 30 minutes after an emergency call

A four-year-old girl who was kidnapped from a Santa Monica restaurant was found safe and sound within hours, authorities said.

Santa Monica police responded to a 911 call around 12:11 a.m. Friday after the child was abducted from a Panda Express on Lincoln Boulevard. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Breanna Taylor Shields, was arrested and the child was rescued unharmed from the Holiday Motel, located less than a half-mile from the restaurant.

The rapid response followed a call for help from the child’s grandmother. According to CBS News Los Angeles, more than 30 people, including police officers, civilian workers, drone pilots and a canine unit, combed the area.

Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Erika Aklufi described the extensive search operation in an interview with ABC7, saying, “At least 30 members of our department were out looking for her.”

Officers found the child and the suspect less than 30 minutes after the 911 call. Shields was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, a crime punishable by up to 11 years in prison. Her bail was set at $100,000 and she is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported.