Chaos unfolded in a Santa Monica neighborhood when Courtney Perrone, 40, allegedly attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon, an incident that has led to multiple charges against her. Details from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and a report from the Santa Monica Police Department paint a disturbing picture of the confrontation, which ended with the arrest of Perrone, with a record that includes prior run-ins with the law across several states.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, “The trauma and fear that this innocent child has experienced are unimaginable.” Gascón's remarks highlight the severity of the crime and the impact on the young victim. Perrone, who was pleaded not guilty in her arraignment, faces charges including attempted kidnapping: victim under 14 years old; one count of false imprisonment by violence; and one count of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the District Attorney's Office.
At around 2:50 p.m. on August 21, Perrone is accused of the attempt to kidnap the child, causing her to have allegedly wrestled with the neighbor, who was assisting the child with pets. The child was brought into safety inside his vehicle by the neighbor. Shortly after the alleged altercation, Perrone, reportedly armed with a knife, was located at a nearby grocery store and identified by the adult victim, as outlined by the Santa Monica Police Department. Repeatedly, Perrone has been found living out of her vehicle, described as homeless by police, and possessing a criminal record that spans various charges, including assault and battery, according to Hoodline.
This is not Perrone's first encounter with law enforcement. Besides being on probation for a conviction in Nevada, she has outstanding warrants from New Hampshire. During her recent arrest by the LAPD's Pacific Division, she was released due to insufficient evidence although charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Her pattern of legal issues underscores the multi-state challenges police face when tracking offenders with complex histories, with charges that include forgery and intimidation (stalking). Meanwhile, Santa Monica authorities hope the public might hold additional information, prompting shared contact details for detectives to further assist with the ongoing investigation.
As proceedings continue to unfold, a September 9 appointment awaits Perrone for mental health proceedings at the Hollywood Courthouse, resulting from the defense declaring doubt as to her competency per PC 1368. With bail set at $135,000, the DA is committed to ensuring justice via trauma-informed services to aid the victims and their families. For Perrone, a conviction could result in a sentence of up to 6 ½ years in prison.
