Shocking moment toddler snatched in supermarket as mum screams | World | News

Shocking footage showed a man attempting to aggressively snatch a child from her mother’s hand as they left a shop. A suspect was caught on CCTV walking into the shop in Bergamo, Italy, before forcefully trying to pick up the child right in front of her parents. At one point she is pulled in both directions as he grabs her legs and her mum desperately holds onto her daughter.

Doctors reportedly said the child suffered a fractured femur from the chaos of the altercation. She had been holding onto her mum’s hand as they exited the shop next to her dad, who was pushing a trolley. Her mother instinctively held on to her daughter while crying for help and her father immediately jolted back in shock before rushing over to help save the child.

Horrified bystanders rushed to their aid as they heard the commotion, and a young girl with black hair can be seen staring in shock as the incident unfolded inside the shop.

Moments later, the security guard rushed in to help hold down the man who allegedly attempted to steal the child. Police were called immediately to detain the man, who was taken to the police station.

Passersby and CCTV footage were used to help piece together the events. The man was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping of a child under 14 and aggravated assault, reports The Sun. He is reportedly currently in prison awaiting validation of his arrest.

According to international law firm Santaniello & Partners, child abduction is a crime under Italian law, including when it is committed by one of the parents.

The person who abducts a child under fourteen years of age or an unsound mind, or holds them against the will of the parent or other guardian, can be punished with imprisonment from one to three years, according to Article 570 of the Italian Penal Code.

A complaint by the parent or other guardian is required to start a lawsuit against the abductor.