Former Babysitter Charged with Kidnapping, Assault and Battery of 2-Year-Old

A former babysitter has been charged in connection with the abduction of a 2-year-old girl in Hamilton.

Hamilton Police Chief Russ Stevens announced that Abigail Hanna, 21, of Topsfield was arrested overnight Friday. Hanna is facing charges of kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a child and breaking and entering in the nighttime. She is being held without bail.

Two-year-old Lyndon Albers went missing from her Lincoln Avenue home sometime in the early morning hours on Friday.

Hamilton police, state police and the Essex County District Attorney’s office investigated the incident through the night, leading up to Hanna’s arrest.

Hanna is a former babysitter for Albers, the girl she allegedly kidnapped. Stevens assured the public that Albers’ disappearance was not a random event and “yesterday’s incident is not indicative of any continuing or wider threat to the safety of local children and families.”

No further information is being released at this time in order to protect the integrity of the case.

Albers was found by an Ipswich couple Friday morning in Rowley, about seven miles from her Hamilton home. According to WHDH, the couple spotted the 2-year-old in a pile of leaves on Harrison Circle. The couple told WHDH they wrapped the girl, who was shivering, in a coat and called police.

The toddler was reuinted with her parents at the hospital Friday. Albers remained hospitalized Saturday morning for continued evaluation, according to police.

Friday afternoon State Police executed a search warrant at the Hamilton home where Albers lived with her parents. They were also reportedly questioning a person of interest in the case who was known to the family.

Patch will bring you more information on this story as it becomes available.

Photo Credit: WHDH, 7-News