A Hallandale Beach woman is currently being held without bond after being accused of attempting to kidnap a 3-year-old boy from his backyard. The suspect, identified as Pamela Monsalve, 39, was arrested last Monday, November 25 when neighbors observed her picking up the child who was playing outside his home and beginning to walk away with him, according to NBC Miami.
In what was initially charged as confining a child without parental consent, a later bond court appearance saw the charge escalate to kidnapping based on probable cause. Neighbors reportedly intervened after photographing the incident and notifying the boy's mother, who then alerted authorities. Responding officers took Monsalve into custody, where she claimed to have been attempting to assist the child. "He was outside." Monsalve is seen telling officers in bodycam footage obtained by WSVN. "He was naked. He was like here with a shirt[she demonstrated by pointing to herself]. Everything was naked and I asked for the people around to call police and nobody would call police. And I told the little boy ‘Where’s your mom?’ and he said no.”
However, reports indicate there was no prior connection between Monsalve and the child's family. During Monsalve's bond hearing, the prosecutor argued that her alleged actions constituted kidnapping, stating, "I can’t imagine what act can cause more extreme fear, distress," as noted by WSVN.
Following the incident, local police stressed the importance of community vigilance. "Make sure you pay attention to your kids, your surroundings, make sure you know your neighbors and your neighbors know you," said Hallandale Beach Police Capt. Megan Jones in a statement obtained by NBC Miami. "This is an example of 'know thy neighbor' and those neighbors were able to help prevent this child from being permanently taken."
The arrest, notably caught on police body camera footage, shows Monsalve struggling to recall where she initially found the 3-year-old. "Where's the playground?" an officer inquires, to which Monsalve replied, “Near the…outside the…the…outside the…when the mom came out I gave it back,” Her bond denied, the judge also imposed strict orders against Monsalve, including no contact with the victim, no interaction with any minors, and a prohibition to ever carry a firearm, as reported by WSVN.
Monsalve remains incarcerated, and as of the latest reports, attorney information for her was not available.
