by Miami, Florida – A frightening scene unfolded at Miami International Airport on Tuesday morning when a woman allegedly snatched a 4-year-old boy from his mother in a security checkpoint line, clung to him, and insisted the child was hers. Authorities say the situation quickly escalated into chaos before bystanders and deputies intervened.
Woman Allegedly Took Child From Mother
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the suspect has been identified as Alvina Omisiri Agba, 23, of England. Deputies say Agba approached the mother while she was in line at a checkpoint, offering to help calm the crying child.
Instead, Agba picked up the boy, walked out of line, and refused to return him. When the mother demanded her child back, Agba allegedly told her: “No, this is my child.”
Physical Struggle in the Terminal
Deputies reported that Agba wrapped her arms and legs around the 4-year-old, preventing him from moving. When the mother attempted to grab her son, Agba allegedly shoved her and continued to cling tightly to the child.
At that point, a witness — later identified as Naylet Montano — stepped in to help. Montano pulled the child away and brought him behind a counter for safety. Agba followed, yelling for her “child” to be returned, but three men blocked her path, preventing another attempt.
Agba then fled the immediate area but was later arrested at another airport checkpoint.
Charges and Statements
Agba is now facing interference with custody and two counts of battery, according to jail records. Deputies noted that she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
In a statement after her arrest, Agba reportedly told deputies that she acted because “God told her to do it.” She also claimed she remembered seeing a rainbow wall at the airport and thought it would soothe the boy.
When asked about the mother reclaiming her child, Agba said she remembered that moment but “did not remember what happened after that.”
Safety Concerns at Airports
The unsettling incident highlights broader concerns about child safety in crowded public spaces like airports. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), parents are encouraged to remain vigilant during checkpoint procedures, where distractions and long lines can make children more vulnerable.
Miami International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the U.S., has seen past incidents of passenger altercations, though a custody interference case of this nature is extremely rare.
Community Reactions
Witnesses described the scene as “chaotic and frightening,” noting that multiple travelers rushed to shield the boy until deputies arrived. Many praised the quick actions of Montano and other bystanders who prevented further harm.
The child was safely reunited with his mother and was not physically injured, though officials said the family was understandably shaken by the ordeal.
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Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say the investigation remains active, and Agba is being held while awaiting court proceedings. The cause of her actions is still unclear, though deputies confirmed she was sober at the time.
For the boy’s family, the incident serves as a terrifying reminder of how quickly situations can spiral in crowded, high-stress environments like airports.
What do you think about this shocking Miami airport child-snatching case? Should airports take additional steps to prevent such incidents? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com.
