By Rich Bockmann
Police said they safely recovered a 3-week-old girl in Staten Island whom neighbors in St. Albans said was snatched by her father Tuesday on their southeast Queens street in the afternoon.
Susan Knowles said Axel Rivera and his girlfriend, Rochelle Worrell, were living in the basement apartment next door to her home on 171st Place, but when the relationship started to sour Worrell began renting a room in Knowles’ home.
She said Rivera has a wife who lives on Staten Island and Worrell recently won sole custody of her child, baby Millie.
“Apparently she got an order of protection,” Knowles said.
She said Rivera followed Worrell to a doctor’s appointment for the baby earlier Tuesday and when the two got back, Rivera snatched the infant and ran off on foot.
Chester Pearce lives in the house across the street, and he said he watched out his window as the couple got out of the van driven by one of Rivera’s friends.
“She was putting the baby in a stroller and he snatched her out,” Pearce said. “He tried to get in the van and the guy told him ‘No.’”
Knowles’ children said they saw Rivera run toward Merrick Boulevard, and the van drove up 171st Street and turned toward Merrick where it met up with him.
Police said they later recovered the baby safe and sound on Staten Island, but no charges had been immediately filed.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
