Childcare Centre Saves Child From Allegedly Being Kidnapped

On Monday 14th February, a man allegedly tried to attempt to kidnap a child from a Lane Cove child care centre.

He entered the service at around 5:30pm, before the centre closed, spoke with the Educators on site, telling them he was the child’s father and that he wished to take the child. The Educators immediately told the man that he was not the father and if he gave his name, they would review the list of people authorised to pick up the child.

After giving his real name, he was not on the authorised list to pick up the child, nor did he know the child's name or had any connection with the child - staff declined this mans request

Police allege the man was very adamant and began arguing loudly with Educators while continuing to request them to hand over the child to him. The Educators forced the man to leave and quickly alerted police.

A detailed investigation followed and since the man had given his real name to the centre, he was tracked down and police had placed him under arrest. Police have charged a 43-year-old Lane Cove North man with allegedly trying to attempt to kidnap a child. The man appeared before Hornsby Local Court on 16 February 2022 and his bail refusal was continued, he will remain in custody until he next appears before the court in April 2022.

A police spokesperson praised the actions of the childcare centre Educators and said they handled a potentially dangerous situation very professionally. The police spokesperson also said the police made enquiries about the accused’s mental health and the police were satisfied that the accused understood the charges that were being laid against him.

In the Education and Care Services National Regulations it states that a child who is being educated and cared for by the education and care service does not leave the education and care service and may only leave the premises if the child

is given into the care of—

(i) a parent of the child; or
(ii) an authorised nominee named in the child’s enrolment record; or
(iii) a person authorised by a parent or authorised nominee named in the child’s enrolment record to collect the child from the premises; or
(b) leaves the premises in accordance with the written authorisation of the child’s parent or authorised nominee named in the child’s enrolment record;

Reference:

• Police Charge Lane Cove North Man with Attempted Kidnapping, In The Cove, 17 February
• Education and Care Services National Regulations