Bellingham infant kidnapped by father on St. Patrick’s Day, rescued hours later by police
Mar 18, 2025, 7:44 AM
Close-up of a Bellingham Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of the Bellingham Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of the Bellingham Police Department)
An eight-month-old child was found by Bellingham Police overnight Monday after the baby was kidnapped.
According to the Bellingham Police Department (BPD), the child’s father barged into the mother’s home and took the baby to Bellevue, where troopers arrested him hours later.
“On this St. Patrick’s Day, normally a day of levity and celebration, began with a terrifying call to 911,” BPD stated in a post on Facebook. “He does not live at the residence, nor does he have full custody of the infant. His plan was to abscond with the infant to Nevada in his white Equinox.”
The father was found driving the Equinox on Interstate 90 (I-90) near Bellevue. When BPD stopped the vehicle, officers arrested the father and found the baby unharmed. The father now faces kidnapping and burglary charges.
The Detective Division of Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) all contributed to the swift investigation tracking the father down.
“We want to thank the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Bellingham, and the WSP for their assistance in this case,” Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig said. “A kidnapped child is truly one of the most terrifying calls to which we can respond. I am very proud of how our patrol and detective divisions responded and worked hard to resolve this case swiftly, bringing this infant home safely to their mother.”
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