UPDATE 3/19/24 6:30 p.m.
ANTRIM COUNTY — A babysitter who stopped an alleged attempting kidnapping at an Antrim Co. motel is speaking out about her harrowing experience.
The Antrim County Sheriff’s Office says it happened last Thursday night at DRC Rentals in Mancelona Township.
Deputies responded to a report that Mancelona Township man Sean Mahar was attempting to take a three-year-old child out the window of the motel.
Kendall Irland said she was watching her friend’s kids while the friend ran to the store when Mahar allegedly tried to take the child.
“Even though I’m 38 weeks pregnant, as soon as I saw him physically reach his hand through the window, I’ve never moved that quick in my entire life,” said Irland.
Irland tells us she recognized the man as a neighbor at the motel where the family has been staying long-term.
“He opened up the window and Nathan was wanting his dad at the time,” said Irland. “At first it was fine. He was just talking to the kids.”
But then, said Irland, “[Mahar] was telling him, ‘Come here, I’ll come help you find your dad.’”
That’s when the pregnant mother of two sprang into action.
“I screamed as loud as I could, and I slammed the window, locked it shut. I told my husband he needed to come inside because he was sitting in the truck right in front of the apartment,” said Irland.
Irland was able to pull the child to safety, but then tells us that Mahar tried to get in through the front door. She and her husband were able to force Mahar back outside.
She says her husband and a neighbor detained Mahar until police arrived.
The three-year-old’s father, Kristopher Phillips, says he was back at the motel before police arrived and is so thankful for Irland and her husband.
“I’m thankful. I mean, she’s pregnant right now dealing with a rough pregnancy…It was probably difficult for her, but I’m glad that her and my niece and her husband are safe and that…my kids are OK too,” said Phillips.
Deputies say Mahar is in custody and has been arraigned. He’s charged with attempted kidnapping, first-degree home invasion, breaking and entering. He is a repeat offender.
3/19/24 4:00 p.m.
ANTRIM COUNTY — The Antrim County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a babysitter and her husband prevented a tragedy by stopping a kidnapper.
On March 14 at 9:18 p.m., the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man attempting to abduct a 3-year-old child through a window at a motel in Mancelona Township, deputies said.
The 3-year-old was in a motel room with his babysitter and other children when a 27-year-old Mancelona Township male opened the window of the room and attempted to pull the child out of the window, they said.
The babysitter was able to pull the child to safety, deputies said.
The babysitter’s husband then arrived in the room, about the same time the 27-year-old tried to enter through the front door, deputies said.
The 27-year-old was forced out of the room, and a neighbor came to help, deputies said.
The suspect was detained at the scene until deputes arrived and took him into custody. He is charged with attempted kidnapping/child enticement, home invasion first degree, breaking and entering with intent, and habitual offender fourth.
9&10 News will have more tonight on this developing story.
