Woman tries to kidnap 1-year-old after asking parents for money on Christmas Eve, police say

OGDEN — A woman attempted to grab a toddler after his parents refused to give the woman money on Tuesday.

Cathy Rae Coburn, 43, was booked into the Weber County Jail on suspicion of attempted child kidnapping, a first-degree felony, according to the police affidavit.

The affidavit stated that the attempted kidnapping happened at the intersection of 36th Street and Wall Avenue.

The victims told police they were walking with their 1-year-old son and holding his hands when a woman, later identified as Coburn, approached the family asking for money.

According to the affidavit, one of the parents declined to give Coburn money, “explaining that they had a child, and began to turn around to continue walking.”

“As they were turning, (Coburn) reached out and attempted to snatch the child away from the parents,” the affidavit stated. “The complainant’s spouse quickly reacted and pulled the child away to prevent (Coburn) from taking him.”

The affidavit reported that Coburn did not touch the child. However, after reviewing surveillance footage and speaking to witnesses, police determined that Coburn would “have successfully taken the child if the father had not reacted quickly.”

According to the affidavit, Coburn faced the first degree felony charge of attempted child kidnapping.