Police say three people are behind bars in Cambria County following an alleged kidnapping in Johnstown earlier this week.
According to the affidavit, police say the kidnapping occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 28th, near the Johnstown Amtrak Station, as a local couple was attempting to move out of the area.
Investigators say the couple told police that they had been living at a residence along Linden Avenue, “for a couple months,” and were planning to travel/move back to Philadelphia.
Police say that when the couple went to leave, the “renter” of the Linden Avenue residence, identified as 55-year-old Kathleen Nash, reportedly told them that they had to leave their 1-year-old daughter behind.
Authorities say the couple then left for the train station, at which time Nash allegedly contacted 24-year-old Gerald Campos-Baez and informed him that they were attempting to leave with the child.
Police say when the couple arrived at the train station, two vehicles reportedly showed up as well, one of which was being driven by Campos-Baez.
Authorities say Campos-Baez and three other males then exited their vehicle and are accused of physically assaulting the child’s father.
Police say that as this assault was occurring, 34-year-old Rebecca Vanskiver and an unidentified woman exited the other vehicle and began assaulting the child’s mother.
Investigators say the child was taken from her mother’s arms and was “handed” to Vanskiver.
According to online court documents, the trio was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on various charges, including kidnapping for ransom, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.
All three are being held at the Cambria County Prison.
Johnstown police confirmed that the couple’s child was returned to them, however, authorities did not specify how or where the child was found.
