Add The New York Post on Google Dramatic police bodycam shows Atlanta cops rescuing two young girls from a trailer “unsuitable for human habitation” after they were allegedly kidnapped by a woman posing as a babysitter — five years after she was accused of snatching a newborn.
Zola Cooper, 4, and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper, were rescued Monday, a day after they were reported critically missing by their mom, Elicia Redding, WRDW reported, with police deeming the girls to “be in extreme danger.”
The girls had been picked up Saturday night by Lakesha Brown, 42 — with the mom unaware that the fake babysitter is awaiting trial for kidnapping a 4-day-old newborn in 2021, according to authorities.
Brown used a moms’ group on social media to befriend Redding over a year, describing herslef as “part of a support system that assisted mothers with babysitting and related services,” according to the report.
It is the “identical” tactic she used five years ago to take the newborn, Kamarion Taylor, according to cops.
Brown “posed as a babysitter through a social media group and gained the trust of unsuspecting mothers before kidnapping their children,” cops said in arrest documents seen by People.
The alarm was raised when Brown failed to drop them back off as expected, with the suspect initially telling the mom her daughters had been in a car accident.
“The mother thought she was leaving her children in the care of someone she could trust,” Atlanta Police Lt. Christapher Butler said.
The girls were reported missing and a Levi’s Call – Georgia’s equivalent of an Amber Alert — was issued
Cops received a tip-off on Monday – and swooped on an apartment complex where they heard a baby wailing from a windowless trailer in 97F heat.
One officer used bolt cutters to break into the trailer, which cops described as “unsuitable for human habitation,” before the girls were brought to safety.
Norah, who was wearing diapers, was brought out of the trailer first, followed by Zola. Brown was also found inside the trailer, according to Atlanta cops.
“By placing and maintaining the small children in these conditions without proper authority or adequate care, Ms. Lakesha Brown endangered and jeopardized their health, safety, and well-being,” cops said.
Brown has since been charged with kidnapping and will not receive bond. She waived her first court appearance Tuesday.
The motive behind the alleged kidnapping is unclear but Brown reportedly admitted she should’ve returned the girls, according to police.
Brown is still awaiting trial for the alleged kidnapping in 2021. She also has an outstanding warrant in Alabama for not appearing in court.
