AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was arrested in connection with an attempted kidnapping–a state jail felony–that occurred in April, according to Travis County court documents filed Monday.
An arrest warrant affidavit showed an investigator with the Austin Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit looked into the incident.
The investigator found on April 16, 911 received a call regarding a woman physically attacking, grabbing and shaking children near the north Interstate 35 service road and E. Rundburg Lane.
Police arrived and detained a woman matching the suspect’s description. The woman was later identified as 43-year-old Penny Vega.
KXAN reached out to Vega’s attorney for a statement. This article will be updated if a statement is received.
According to the affidavit, three children were involved in the incident—one 5-year-old victim and two juvenile witnesses.
According to the victim’s mother, the child said a woman tried to take her.
“[The victim] said the lady, [Vega,] told her she was her new mom and that she was her daughter,” the affidavit said.
The victim then said Vega began to grab her by her legs while the victim’s sibling tried to stop her.
The affidavit said the victim and the two other children had just left school and were crossing the street toward a gas station when Vega came up to grab the victim.
During the incident, a child ran to get help, according to the affidavit, and two adults intervened to stop Vega from taking the child.
Surveillance video confirmed the reports of the victim and the two juvenile witnesses.
According to court documents, the investigator attempted to interview Vega, but her attorney declined an interview.
The affidavit said there was probable cause to believe Vega’s actions amounted to “more than mere preparation to commit the offense of kidnapping” when she grabbed the victim by force and said she was going to be her new mother but failed to commit the offense when others intervened.
As of Wednesday, Vega remained booked in the Travis County jail on four charges and had bonds totaling $32,500.
Vega has a hearing scheduled for July 16 related to the incident. She is set to appear.