Stanislaus County Woman Arrested for Allegedly Kidnapping Own Grandchild
Photo: Stock Image
Two individuals have been arrested in Stanislaus County for the alleged kidnapping of a three-year-old child, one of whom is reportedly the child’s grandmother.
According to a press release by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Clinton Wangelin and his sister, 46-year-old Melisa Wangelin have been arrested in connection to the alleged kidnapping of Clinton’s three-year-old grandson. The boy was reportedly taken from his home in Waterford, with the suspects later taking him to Clinton’s residence in Atwater. Law enforcement authorities were able to rescue the child unharmed.
The Sheriff’s Office said that, at approximately 4:48 p.m. on May 3, deputies responded to a distress call reporting the kidnapping from the 12000 block of Covey Street in Waterford. The reporting party, who was the child’s other grandmother, informed authorities that Clinton and Melisa had come to the house to visit with the child. However, Clinton allegedly took the child without permission and attempted to leave in his vehicle.
As the grandmother intervened, Melisa allegedly obstructed her path, forcefully preventing her from rescuing the child. The suspects then fled the scene with the victim, prompting an immediate law enforcement response. Investigators also discovered that Clinton, who had a criminal record, was on Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for possession of stolen property and escape in Merced County.
With the aid of a Sheriff’s Office aerial unit, authorities located Clinton’s vehicle at his residence in Atwater. Aerial surveillance revealed the child in the backyard alongside Clinton and Melisa, prompting ground units to move in. Everyone at the residence cooperated with law enforcement, resulting in the safe rescue of the child approximately two hours after the initial kidnapping report.
Clinton Wangelin and Melisa Wangelin were taken into custody on suspicion of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a crime. Both individuals remain detained at the Stanislaus County Jail, where they are held on a bail amount of $200,000. It was unclear at press time whether either of them had retained an attorney.
