'I Love You, Baby' OC Would-Be Kidnapper Sentenced

SANTA ANA, CA — A 44-year-old man pleaded guilty to attempting to abduct a 6-year-old boy in Placentia and was sentenced to four years in prison, but he already has credit for serving more than that amount of time behind bars, according to court records obtained Tuesday.

Michael Christopher Foley, who had no known address, pleaded guilty Friday to a felony count of attempted kidnapping of a child under 14. As part of the plea deal, a misdemeanor count of child annoyance and a felony count of kidnapping were dismissed.

Foley scooped up the youngster outside of Peewee's Market, 703 W. La Jolla St., about 7:50 p.m. July 5, 2021, police said.

The boy was outside the store with some family friends when Foley, who was driving by, stopped and got out of his vehicle, leaving the driver's door open, and ran toward the victim, police said. He picked up the child and was carrying him back to his vehicle when bystanders shouted at him.

Foley kissed the child on the cheek and said, "I love you, baby," before putting him down, getting back into his vehicle and driving away, police said.

Police were able to identify Foley through surveillance video. He had no ties to the child or the victim's mother.

Foley had sentencing credit for 2,100 days time-served served since his arrest.

City News Service