Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Police: Woman posed as social worker in attempt to kidnap baby

Joanna Boyd

Joanna Boyd

A woman was arrested Monday when her plan to kidnap a newborn while posing as a social worker was foiled, according to Metro Police.

Joanna Boyd, who told investigators she intended to keep the 3-week-old baby because her children had been taken from her, had only interacted with the parents via Facebook, Capt. Nichole Splinter said.

The parents had discussed buying baby clothes from Boyd on the social media platform, Splinter said.

Later, armed with false documents, including a court order with a forged signature, Boyd contacted Metro saying she needed assistance with an “emergency pickup” of a child, Splinter said. That type of collaboration is not uncommon, she said.

Two rookie officers and their trainers met Boyd about 12:30 p.m. near Nellis and Craig boulevards, not far from the family’s house, Splinter said.

Examining the court order, the officers “recognized that it did not look legit,” even though personal information on some documents was, Splinter said. That’s because the intended victims had shared information, including birth dates, on Facebook, she said.

Boyd also did not have anything identifying her as an employee of Clark County Child Protective Services, she said.

“They had no idea who she was” and took Boyd into custody, Splinter said.

Boyd was being held without bond at the Clark County Detention Center on one count each of attempted kidnapping, forgery, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession by a felon of a stun gun and impersonating a public officer, jail logs show.

She was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.