Brooklyn Woman Arrested After Attempted Kidnap of 4‑Year‑Old Near McDonald’s

On a chilly Thursday evening, a familiar hum of traffic on Eastern Parkway was punctuated by an unsettling scene outside a McDonald’s near Utica Avenue. A four‑year‑old boy was standing with his grandmother, waiting for a bite of fries, when a woman suddenly lunged toward the child.

The woman, later identified as 47‑year‑old Chrissy Payne, grabbed the youngster and tried to drag him across the street. Thankfully, another family member saw the movement, shouted, and managed to pull the boy away just in time. Payne, startled, fled southward down Utica Avenue.

Police were quick to respond. By Friday, officers had placed a formal charge against Payne for attempted kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child. The incident, which took place around 5 p.m. on Monday, is now part of a larger pattern – Payne has five prior arrests this year alone, all linked to assault and petit larceny.

In hopes of gathering tips, the NYPD released surveillance footage on Thursday. The grainy video shows Payne in a white shirt, black shorts and sandals, moving hurriedly away from the fast‑food restaurant. Detectives are asking anyone who recognizes her to come forward.

Payne lives in Brooklyn, and her arraignment is slated for the Brooklyn Criminal Court. As of Saturday, it remained pending. The community, shaken but grateful for the quick intervention, hopes the case serves as a reminder to stay vigilant, especially when children are present in public spaces.