Child found safe after release by kidnapper

Associated Press

SPRING LAKE, N.J. — A 6-year-old girl whose family left New York after the terrorist attacks was found safe at a mall Friday, a day after she was abducted while playing in her front yard in New Jersey.

Anna Cardelfe was dropped off about 10 miles from her home, apparently after the kidnapper heeded a tearful plea for her return from the girl’s father, authorities said. Security workers recognized her and called police. She was reunited with her family and brought home.

"They were hugging their child, and their child was hugging them," prosecutor Robert Honecker said. The scene "brought tears to the eyes of veteran detectives."

Honecker said Anna was in good spirits and unharmed. He would not elaborate on what the girl told authorities.

Police continued to hunt for the girl’s kidnapper. They released a sketch of a suspect and were investigating whether more than one person was involved.

The girl had been playing with a sibling and friends around noon Thursday when a man in a short-brimmed hat and dark sunglasses enticed her into a car by showing her some kind of object, Honecker said. The man then pulled the girl inside and drove off. A 4-year-old friend described the kidnapper to authorities as a man in his 30s.

A man called police from a pay phone an hour later and directed them to a ransom note, taped to a flagpole. The kidnapper called again, asking if police had received the note.

Honecker said no ransom was paid.

On Thursday night, Anna’s father, Michael Cardelfe, pleaded at a news conference: "We want Anna back safely and will do whatever it takes to get Anna back to us. We know you do not want to hurt Anna."

Honecker said he believes the plea "was heeded by the individuals responsible for this abduction, and may in fact have led to her release."

Cardelfe, who has four children, formerly used the New Jersey house on weekends. The family moved there full time after the attack on the World Trade Center near their home in lower Manhattan.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.