Public SafetyReported

CT man charged with kidnapping 5-year-old child in New Haven, prompting Amber Alert

A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.

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Scoop News DeskNew Haven, New York · Published Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM UTCUpdated Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:22 AM UTC

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Rodriguez was charged second-degree breach of peace and one count each of first-degree kidnapping and risk of injury to a minor. His total bond was set at $300,000. “We are incredibly proud of our officers and detectives for successfully deescalating a very tense and rapidly evolving situation,” said New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli. “Because of their efforts, multiple lives have been saved, a a dangerous individual is now safely in custody.

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Dated changes to this report are shown here as they are published.

Version 2unpublished
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC
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Version 3published
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:22 PM UTC
A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.
Version 4unpublished
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:22 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 5published
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:38 PM UTC
A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.
Version 6unpublished
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:38 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 7published
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:53 PM UTC
A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.
Version 8unpublished
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 5:09 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 9published
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 1:48 AM UTC
A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.
Version 10unpublished
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 2:35 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 11published
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:07 AM UTC
A man with a history of violent criminal convictions was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 5-year-old boy from his bus stop in New Haven on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a residence in New Haven on Monday around 7:20 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute, which was later determined to be alleged abduction of a child, according to the New Haven Police Department . A woman told officers that she and a man identified as 32-year old Christopher Rodriguez were allegedly involved in an argument in a different town during which she claimed he became extremely upset, police said. After the argument, the woman claimed that Rodriguez left and drove to New Haven where he picked up her 5-year-old son from his bus stop, according to police. Police noted that Rodriguez is not the father.
Version 12unpublished
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:22 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy