Video: Baby Kidnapped To Force Mom To Change Story, Police Say

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department has announced the arrest of a 35-year-old woman, accused of trying to get her neighbor to change a statement to law enforcement. To coerce the woman into recanting her story, police say the woman kidnapped her neighbor’s 2 ½-month-old daughter Thursday morning.

The incident that led to Lorraine Rainey's Feb. 16 technically began Wednesday afternoon, an email from the police department said. According to the agency, Anita Johnson, 33, happened to see Rainey attempt to run over her husband, Robert Rainey, with a vehicle. That incident occurred outside the couple’s home in the 4000 block of 1st Avenue North just before 4 p.m. on Feb. 15.

Although Robert Rainey was not injured, police say Johnson is a key witness in the case against Lorraine Rainey.

On Thursday morning, police say Lorraine Rainey forced her way into Johnson’s home and “coerced her into driving to police headquarters to change her statement.” As Johnson was inside with police, Lorraine Rainey was outside with Johnson’s infant daughter, London Baker.

“When Johnson came out, Rainey and (the) baby were gone,” the email said.

Police say Lorraine Rainey left with the baby, got a ride from an unknown person and returned to her neighborhood. “When she saw police at the property, she began to walk and run around the neighborhood until police spotted her,” the email said.

Police recovered the baby unharmed. She was returned to her mother at police headquarters a short time after she was taken.

Lorraine Rainey now faces burglary, false imprisonment, tampering with a witness and kidnapping charges.

No further information is being released at this time. Detectives, however, would like to speak to the person who gave Lorraine Rainey a ride. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the police department at 813-893-7780.

Photo and video courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department