Florida woman who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old from her backyard tells cops why she shouldn’t be arrested in bodycam footage

A Florida woman who witnesses say tried to kidnap a 3-year-old boy last month apparently believed she shouldn’t be held because she got away with it.

But 39-year-old Pamela Monsalve didn’t do this, she told police, she gave “it” (the boy) back. She was apprehended by good Samaritans who responded quickly to avoid wasting the kid after Monsalve allegedly climbed over a fence, grabbed the boy and started walking away in the Hallandale Beach community near Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 25.

She didn’t go far. Neighbors stopped Monsalve and asked what he was doing. She placed the newborn on the bottom, secure and sound, after which continued walking. Police were called and located Monsalve nearby.

“Make sure you are aware of your children and your surroundings, make sure you know your neighbors and they know you” – Hallandale Beach Police Captain Megan Jones he told NBC 6. “This is an example of ‘know your neighbor,’ and these neighbors were able to prevent this child from being permanently taken away.”

Monsalve presented chaotic, nonsensical explanations recorded on police cameras.

“He was outside, he was naked, he had a shirt on and… everything was naked,” she said. “I asked people in the area to call the police, but no one called the police, and I told the boy, ‘Where is your mother?’ and he said no. “

“So where is the boy now?” asked the officer.

“I got a little boy and everyone was like, ‘don’t take that little boy,’ and I said, ‘I gave him to his mom,'” she continued. “I gave it back!”

However, Monsalve couldn’t remember where she even found the 3-year-old.

“Where is the playground?” asked the officer.

“Near…outside…outside…when mom left, I gave it back,” she said.

The police didn’t buy it. Monsalve is being held without bond and charged with detaining a baby under 13 without parental consent, NBC 6 reported. On Tuesday, a prosecutor added a kidnapping charge.

“I cannot imagine what act could cause more extreme fear and anxiety,” one prosecutor said.