Tennessee Woman Charged With Kidnapping After Attempting To Steal Toddler

A Tennessee woman faced kidnapping charges after she allegedly attempted to take a toddler from a playground where she had been asked to watch him. Police in Knoxville responded to the scene on October 19 near Middlebrook Pike, according to WVLT 8. The incident unfolded minutes away from the Big Oak Apartment complex. Alexis Crespo, who is thirty-two years old, met the child's mother at the play area. An arrest report reviewed by the outlet stated that Crespo asked the woman if she could borrow her phone. When the mother requested her device back, the suspect allegedly refused and fled. The witness explained that Crespo waited near a nearby tree before grabbing the three-year-old boy. She reportedly told officers she was trying to take the child away and would not put him down. The mother felt forced to retaliate by grabbing Crespo by the sleeve and dragging her into the apartment building office while waiting for backup. When responding officers tried to speak with the suspect, Crespo made no effort to respond. Authorities later questioned her at the police headquarters before booking her into the Knox County Jail. Details regarding her bond or a scheduled first court appearance have not been released yet. Investigators say this was an attempt to abduct a child she had previously agreed to look after.