Cape Town - A woman who allegedly snatched a neighbour’s eight-month old baby from his cot has been arrested and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Police sources say the suspect, 37-year old Miranda “Mindy” Julies, previously suffered FOUR miscarriages.
Baby Lucas Cedras was found unharmed at the home of the suspect’s mother on Thursday.
The very next day, acting on tip-offs from the Scottsdene community, cops arrested Julies who was found under a bridge near Kraaifontein Post Office.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirms the arrest: “This morning (Friday) at about 10am the 37-year-old suspect in the abduction case of the eight-month-old Lucas Cedras was arrested in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein."
“She is due to appear in the Kuils River Magistrates’ Court (today) on the said charges.”
Prosecutors are set to prove Julies took little Lucus from his family home in Hartebees Street, Scottsdene, last Tuesday, while he lay sleeping in his cot.
It is alleged Julies had asked the infant’s grandmother, Mercia Cedras, 50, if she could show the baby to people in the street, but she never returned.
Two days later, Julies’ mother called cops to say she had the baby in her Nellie Street house, a few streets away.
Lucus’ mother, Simone Cedras, 29, said that she’s relieved her friend has been arrested.
“I am very happy, I cannot believe that my baby is safe,” the mom of six said.
“I could not sleep without him. I am glad Mindy has been caught. I always kept him under my watchful eye.
“I want to say thank you to all my friends who helped searched for him. My children are happy and they feel safe again to play outside.
“I want to kiss him all the time and I am glad he is healthy.”