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PD: Kidnapper grabs 3-year-old off his tricycle at north Phoenix park

Jonah Woodard.png
Posted at 11:37 AM, Mar 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-12 18:22:50-04

PHOENIX — A kidnapper reportedly grabbed a 3-year-old boy off his tricycle and threatened to snap his neck at a north Phoenix park, according to court documents.

Phoenix police report that late Tuesday afternoon, they were called to Norton Park near 12th Street and Hatcher Road for reports of a fight.

Police say a man, later identified as 35-year-old Jonah Woodard, was "acting erratically" by following a woman and her 3-year-old son. Woodard was reportedly saying he wanted to play with the 3-year-old boy.

Woodard later allegedly picked the boy up off his tricycle, saying, "I'll snap your neck," according to court documents. Police say the boy's mother was able to pull her son away from Woodard and run away. Woodard reportedly followed them for a short time before returning to the park.

Police located and arrested him at the park for kidnapping, endangerment, and aggravated assault.

Court records show that Woodard currently has three felony warrants and was released from prison this past December after serving time for drugs and aggravated assault.