Quick-thinking babysitter thwarts toddler’s abduction

Police have apprehended a man who they say attempted to abduct a 20-month-old girl from her 65-year-old babysitter after following them to the child’s home in Woodmere on Monday afternoon.
Craig Myczkowski, 44, whose last known residence was on East 2nd Street in Manhattan, allegedly approached the sitter and the baby, who was in a stroller, along West Broadway, telling the woman that she was “pushing a dead baby,” police said. The comment alarmed the sitter, who hurried back to the girl’s home.
Once inside, she removed the girl from the stroller and locked the doors. Myczkowski still managed to enter the house, and tried to open the kitchen door, which she had also locked, police said. He yelled, “Give me the dead baby,” grabbed the stroller and left, walking east on West Broadway.
Police responded to the house, and later found the stroller near the Pizza Place, a restaurant at 1344 Broadway in Hewlett.
Detective Lt. Richard Lebrun, commanding officer of the Nassau County Police Department’s Public Information Office, said that patrols in cars and on foot were stepped up throughout the night until Myczkowski was apprehended. “This incident appeared to be isolated, and there is no present danger,” he said.

At 7:46 Tuesday morning, Myczkowski was found in a doctor’s office in Suite 205 of the Hewlett Professional Building, at 1229 Broadway, sleeping on a couch. He was arrested without incident.
Lebrun said that people in the area had seen him before. “He’s somewhat transient,” Lebrun said. “There’s no indication of his knowing the baby at this time.”
Myczkowski was charged with attempted unlawful imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, second- and third-degree burglary, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal mischief.
Lebrun commended the sitter for her quick thinking. “[She] did a phenomenal job,” he said. “She got away from the encounter as soon as possible, locking the doors.”
The investigation is continuing, with a focus on how Myczkowski got into the home.
Lebrun offered advice on being safe and securing a home. “Be vigilant, and lock your doors,” he said. “Call Crime Stoppers when you see something suspicious.” Crime Stoppers’ number is (800) 244-8477.