Woman allegedly kidnapped child from playground, ran naked down street, and kicked officer in head
01/04/2023 1:45 pm PST
AUSTIN, Ind. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old woman was taken into custody on several charges after she allegedly kidnapped a young girl from a playground and ran naked down the street.
Austin Police said they arrested Brittany Hurtt on Jan. 2 at 2:46 p.m. for kidnapping, resisting law enforcement, battery resulting in bodily injury to public safety official, criminal trespass, and public nudity.
According to the probable cause affidavit cited by WXIN-TV, Hurtt allegedly went up to a child at the Austin Elementary School playground, grabbed her, and said, "Let’s start a family."
That child reportedly escaped, and Hurtt allegedly went up to another child and hoisted her over the playground fence. Hurtt reportedly ran with the girl back to her house.
The affidavit reportedly said Hurtt’s husband flagged down police with the little girl and told them she came home with a child who wasn't their own, then left the house naked. An Austin Police Department officer reportedly returned the girl to the elementary school while another found Hurtt "running in the street nude carrying two white trash bags."
Hurtt allegedly attempted to "yank the door open" of the police car, and she allegedly struggled with cops as they tried to restrain her. While inside the patrol vehicle, Hurtt reportedly "began kicking the back windows" and screamed.
Her husband reportedly brought her clothing to put on, but she refused to wear it.
Paramedics came because police wanted to take her to the hospital for an evaluation, and while on the gurney, she allegedly made "statements about how the children were being taught by the computers and all the children needed to die."
She also reportedly kicked an officer in the head while on the gurney.
According to WXIN, Hurtt acknowledged she was taken into custody because she "kidnapped a kid."
Austin Elementary School released a statement following the incident and said the child was "returned to the elementary unharmed within minutes," but until she was, the school remained on lockdown.
The school is reportedly "reassessing playground protocols to increase security and safety for students."
Court records show Hurtt’s bond was set at $7,500, and a judge issued no-contact orders.
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