Police: Mother Helped Long Island Man Kidnap Ex-Girlfriend
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man is accused of kidnapping the mother of his child and terrorizing her for five days, police said. He carried out the alleged kidnapping with help from his mother, according to to authorities.
It all started when the 20-year-old victim brought her 11-month-old son to visit the child's grandmother, 51-year-old Yolanda V. Gilreath, in Rockville Centre on July 20, police said.
"They were lured by the grandmother via text message that the grandmother wanted to see the child," Nassau County Police Inspector Kenneth Lack said.
When they got to the residence at 11 Old Mill Court, police said the victim was met at the door by the child's father, Gilreath's 20-year-old son Malachi Blaylock. The victim has an order of protection against Blaylock, police said.
Blaylock took the child from the victim, handed the boy over to Gilreath and then forced the victim into his bedroom, where she was held against her will, police said.
The victim then endured five days of terror, according to authorities.
"She was strangled, she had injuries all over her body -- contusions, lacerations," Nassau County Police Inspector Kenneth Lack said. "She was beaten with an electrical cord, she was stabbed in the hand with scissors. It was a horrific experience."
Blaylock also threatened the victim with a gun, police said.
The victim tried to escape several times, but was restrained by her ex-boyfriend each time, police said.
At one point, she and her baby were taken to an apartment in Hempstead, where on July 24 she was able to call her mother for help, who came and took her to the hospital, police said.
Jealousy was the apparent motive.
"The father was jealous of the victim having possible other relationships," Lack said.
Neighbors appeared incredulous, CBS2 Jennifer McLogan reported. They say the couple always seemed happy.
Neighbor Vanessa Lopez also said she never saw anything unusual while the woman was apparently being held hostage.
"That's why we are shocked," Lopez said. "You don't see stuff like that -- and kidnapping -- it's just shocking."
The victim is not being identified because police say she is a victim of domestic violence.
Blaylock and his mother were arrested separately Monday night and are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Hempstead.
Blaylock is charged with kidnapping, robbery, assault, strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, criminal contempt, menacing, criminal mischief, and endangering the welfare of a child.
His bond was raised to $1.5 million after arguing with the judge, McLogan reported.
Gilreath is charged with kidnapping, hindering prosecution, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child. Gilreath hopes to be released on a $200,000 bond.
The baby was not injured.