Man charged for attempted kidnapping of baby at Lake Burien park

BURIEN, Wash. — A man was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly attempting to kidnap a baby at Lake Burien School Memorial Park.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged 31-year-old Nicholas Joseph Lewis-Ryder with Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree.

King County deputies responded to a disturbance call at approximately 1:45 p.m. when a man was reportedly approaching children on the playground and attempted to take a baby out of a car.

Court documents reveal that one family told investigators that Lewis-Ryder was claiming to be a department agent. He then allegedly followed them to their car, grabbed the grandmother’s arm, then reached through their vehicle window to unlock the door, all while their small grandchild was inside.

This incident sparked outrage from several mothers at the park.

“I don’t mind someone walking up to me and my kid if they have a kid with them, it wouldn’t shock me if someone said hi and gave my kid a high five, but a stranger walking up and trying to abduct my kid scared me,” said Jenet Habtemariam, a concerned parent.

Some concerned parent say it’s terrifying that it happed at that park which is just a few blocks away from Seahurst Elementary School.

“We often come here with my two year old waiting for our kids to come out of school, we play at this park there’s lots of families that come here before school gets out to hangout and wait for your kids to get out of school,” said Habtemariam.

Lewis-Ryder remains in jail on $150,000 bail.

Officials indicated that mental health issues may have been a factor in the incident.