Baby Kidnapped From Cottage Hospital
Public Urged to Watch for Alleged Abductor
A one-day-old baby was been kidnapped from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital at about 12:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Santa Barbara Police are looking for Leianna Patricia Arzate, a 33-year-old Hispanic woman. She is 5-foot-1, weighs 135 pounds and has blue eyes and long, wavy, brown hair that extends to the middle of her back. She is expected to be driving in a blue mid-1990s Chevy Impala with chrome wheels and the license plate number 5TYW619. The woman was wearing black scrub pants and a light-colored top with a Betty Boop print on the front. She also has a tattoo of a parrot on her bicep.
She apparently entered the hospital, went to the third-floor maternity ward, unhooked the Hispanic male child, and left with him in a bag. Surveillance video captured the woman, who appeared to be alone.
Witnesses reportedly spotted a woman who matches the suspect description changing clothes in nearby Oak Park and Sgt. Mike McGrew said witnesses were currently being questioned by detectives, who also are presumably following any leads.
Anyone with information should call 911 or (805) 897-2355.