Authorities in Oklahoma have arrested Tracy Zahl, a 49-year-old attorney, after she allegedly attempted to lure a 2-year-old child away from a church-based day care.
The alarming incident took place on July 23 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Child Care Center in Oklahoma City, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Investigators say Zahl entered the facility through an unlocked door and walked downstairs to a classroom where she approached a young girl. She reportedly instructed the child to “come out of the classroom and follow her.”
A quick-thinking teacher intervened, pulling the toddler away from Zahl and instructing her to leave the premises. However, Zahl did not immediately depart.
According to the affidavit, she later joined a line of children being escorted through the building and told a teacher she was “going with them.” Believing she could be a volunteer, the staff allowed her to follow the group into another classroom.
Once inside, Zahl allegedly sat at a table with several children until another staff member confronted her.
During the confrontation, Zahl allegedly declared she was “sent by God to be with the children.” Staff again ordered her to leave. This time she complied, but not before a worker noted part of her license plate number, which was later provided to police.
Using license plate reader technology, authorities traced Zahl to her home, located less than a mile from the church. She admitted to police that she had made a “mistake” and acknowledged she had no legitimate reason to be at the day care, as she has no children or grandchildren enrolled there, according to local NBC affiliate KFOR.
Police arrested Zahl and booked her into the Oklahoma County Jail on a $30,000 bond. She faces a kidnapping charge and currently does not have a defense attorney listed in court records.
