# Child kidnapping attempts in New York City

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-kidnapping-attempts-in-new-york-city
> Updated: 2026-09-20T01:49:15.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Separate incidents of attempted child kidnappings have been reported in New York City.

In late July 2026, a woman attempted to kidnap a 6-year-old girl at a Manhattan subway station. The child’s mother intervened to prevent the suspect from pulling the girl away, and the suspect escaped via a southbound train. The NYPD released surveillance imagery to assist in identifying the individual.

In September 2026, a woman named Chrissy Payne was arrested following an attempted kidnapping in Brooklyn. The suspect allegedly snatched a 4-year-old boy from his grandmother outside a restaurant. The child’s mother, an off-duty police officer, intervened to stop the suspect. Payne faces charges of attempted kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Brooklyn woman arrested for attempted kidnapping of 4-year-old

Chrissy Payne has been arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap a 4-year-old boy from his grandmother in Brooklyn. An off-duty police officer intervened to secure the child.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brooklyn-woman-arrested-for-attempted-kidnapping-of-4-year-old

### 2026-09-02: NYPD seeks woman after attempted kidnapping of child in Manhattan subway

The NYPD is seeking a woman who attempted to kidnap a 6-year-old girl at the Inwood-207th Street subway station in Manhattan on July 29.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nypd-seeks-woman-after-attempted-kidnapping-of-child-in-manhattan-subway

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Cite as: Child kidnapping attempts in New York City. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-kidnapping-attempts-in-new-york-city