A Milwaukee woman is facing serious charges after allegedly making off with a daycare van that had four children inside, authorities say. The accused, identified as 27-year-old Katelyn Librizzi, has been charged with felony vehicle theft and child abduction, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WTMJ. The unsettling incident unfolded on West Burleigh Street when the woman reportedly entered and drove away with the van while its driver was momentarily preoccupied with another task.
Details from the complaint as reported by WISN 12 News suggest the daycare worker had momentarily turned away "to throw down salt," at which point Librizzi allegedly seized the moment, and the van, whisking away with the young occupants aged between three and seven years old. The van was later stopped by police after roughly 13 minutes, and all children were found safely seated inside, per police statements.
Following the event, Milwaukee police utilized geolocation data from the daycare worker's cellphone, left inside the van, to help track down the vehicle. Librizzi’s encounter with the police was further detailed in a report by FOX6 News, where she was said to have made remarks that "... are not typically mentioned in interviews." Her statements reportedly acknowledged the presence of children in the van when she was driving.
Librizzi's parents provided insight into her possible background and mental health issues, in a statement obtained by WISN 12 News, her father revealed that she had "... mental health issues and had stopped taking her medication." Her car had become disabled prior to the incident, which may have led to a sense of desperation, the father suggested. While her mother told the outlet that the family has been working to get Librizzi mental health help. Charges against Librizzi are severe, with potential penalties amounting to up to 21 years in prison, should she be convicted.
On December 21, the court set Librizzi's cash bond at $10,000, and, importantly, ordered a competency examination to determine her fitness to stand trial, according to FOX6 News. The results of the evaluation are crucial, as they will impact how the legal system prosecutes her case given the disclosed mental health concerns from her family.
