Toddler Abducted from New York Laundromat, Found Safe

Police arrest suspect in brazen daytime kidnapping incident

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:22am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, worn stuffed animal against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the unsettling nature of a child abduction incident.The brazen daytime kidnapping of a young child from a local laundromat has left the community shaken and searching for answers.NYC Today

A four-year-old girl was briefly kidnapped from a laundromat in Patchogue, New York on Saturday, March 28. The girl's mother reported her missing, and police were able to locate the child safe at a nearby library shortly after. Authorities arrested 38-year-old Carlos Corte and charged him with second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

Why it matters

Incidents of child abduction in broad daylight are extremely rare but deeply unsettling for local communities. This case highlights the importance of vigilance, quick police response, and surveillance footage in helping to safely recover missing children.

The details

According to Suffolk County police, Corte allegedly led the toddler out of the back of Laundry Kingdom in Patchogue while the girl's mother was present. The mother reported her daughter missing, and police reviewed surveillance footage before locating the child unharmed in the children's area of the nearby Patchogue-Medford Library. Corte was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant.

  • The incident occurred just after midday on Saturday, March 28.
  • Police responded to the scene and located the child shortly after the mother reported her missing.
  • Corte was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, March 29.

The players

Carlos Corte

A 38-year-old Patchogue resident who was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

Suffolk County Police

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, reviewed surveillance footage, and located the missing child.

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What’s next

Corte is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Sunday, March 29. The investigation is ongoing to determine the suspect's motive and whether he has any prior history of similar offenses.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder for parents to remain vigilant, even in seemingly safe public spaces, and the importance of quick police response and surveillance footage in helping to safely recover missing children.