Mass. Man Attempts to Kidnap Toddler at Braintree Market

Stephen O’Brien, 47, of Quincy, is charged with kidnapping and resisting arrest

A Braintree, Massachusetts, man is facing charges after police say he tried to take a toddler from a market while his parents were shopping.

It happened at South Shore India Market on Quincy Avenue in Braintree last Friday night. The toddler was with his parents when police say a shirtless stranger picked him up and bolted for the back door.

“He just threw him over the shoulder almost as if you were carrying your gym bag,” store owner Mehtab Ahmed said. “It was bizarre and
unnatural.”

The attempted kidnapping was caught on the store’s surveillance video.

The child’s father noticed right away and followed the man to the back of the store where he eventually handed over the child and ran into the woods behind the market.

“I asked him if he tried to take the kid and he was just grunting,” Mehtab said.

Braintree police arrested Stephen O’Brien, 47, of Quincy, who they say refused to let go of a tree when they first arrived. O’Brien is charged with kidnapping and resisting arrest.

He was held on $100,000 bail and is due back in court September 14.

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