Mother who took son to Maine charged with kidnapping

Norwich — Police on Tuesday arrested the mother of a 4-year-old boy whom they say she kidnapped and took to Maine earlier this month.

Keyett L. McDonald, 35, of no certain address was charged Tuesday with second-degree kidnapping, risk of injury to a minor and second-degree burglary.

McDonald took Yahquin Warren from his grandparents’ residence at 24 Merchants Ave. in Taftville on Feb. 13 without their permission, police said. The child was reported absent that day from a Samuel Huntington School Day Program in Norwich, police said.

During the course of the investigation, police Detective Damon Wallace determined that McDonald had fled to Maine with Yahquin. Maine State Police and the FBI found the boy safe about 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 at a home in Auburn, Maine. McDonald was charged by police in Lewiston, Maine, as a fugitive from justice.

The child was returned to a lawful guardian. McDonald waived extradition and was brought back to Connecticut, where she was charged Tuesday on a warrant. She was held in lieu of a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Norwich Superior Court today.

State court records show McDonald has pending drug and motor vehicle cases and has a conviction for attempted larceny. She had previously lost custody of her son.

Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity in the City of Norwich is encouraged to call the Norwich Police Department at (860) 886-5561 or the anonymous tip line at (860) 886-5561 ext. 500 or to email crimetips@cityofnorwich.org.