Watch CBS News

Sheriff: Grandmother Snatched Baby From Son In Northern California, Claimed It Was Hers

EL MONTE (AP) — Investigators say a woman snatched her infant granddaughter from her son's Northern California home and took a cab 350 miles to her home in Los Angeles County, where she claimed the baby was hers.

Contra Costa sheriff's Capt. Steve Warne says 58-year-old Ericka Gallego was arrested Monday at her El Monte home and charged with felony kidnapping.

Her 4-month-old granddaughter has been returned to her son's family in Knightsen, a rural community about 55 miles from San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Gallego sneaked into her son's home and took the sleeping baby out of her bassinet early Sunday, then took a taxi home.

Ivan Jimenez, whose father owns the home where Gallego lives, says Gallego told friends she was pregnant.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.