CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A one-year-old boy in Sta. Rita town was allegedly kidnapped by his mother’s friend in a mall in this city on Friday, November 3.

Superintendent Roland Agohob, this city’s acting chief of police, said the mother, Chesser Sunga, brought the boy to the mall. They were with the suspect identified as Glorybell Bautista.

Bautista, a resident of Sto. Tomas town, allegedly volunteered to carry the victim. After several minutes, she disappeared with the baby.

“Bago pa lang palang kakilala nung nanay yung suspek. Kaya lang pinagkatiwalaan agad, parang tita daw ng bata kaya pinabayaan. Hindi inaasahan na tatangayin pala ang bata (The mother had not known the suspect long, but immediately trusted her. She didn't expect the suspect to kidnap the boy),” Agohob said.

Agohob said Sunga searched the mall for her son and Bautista until 10 p.m., before asking the police for assistance.

“As of today, Saturday, wala pang lumilitaw na bata e. So 24 hours na, positive na for missing person or kidnapping (The boy has not been seen. It has been 24 hours so this is considered a missing person or kidnapping case),” he said.

Agohob said the family is set to file a case against Bautista. The police are still looking into other cases possibly involving Bautista.