Crime & Safety
East Haven Police Rescue Woman, Baby from Alleged Abductor
East Haven Police officers rescue woman, baby after they were allegedly taken against their will by the child's father.
A report of a suspicious vehicle led to two officers rescuing a 27-year-old East Haven woman and her baby early this morning after they were allegedly abducted by the child's father from New Haven.
According to East Haven Police Deputy Chief John Mannion, at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, Officer Craig Michalowski and Officer Shawn Hatchel responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the condominium complex at 55 Thompson Street, which they located.
A male, later identified as William Albert Cunningham, 41, of 169 West Spring St., West Haven, was in the driver’s seat, Mannion said.
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A 27-year-old female from East Haven was in the front passenger seat and their 9-month-old son was in the back.
The female — whose identity Mannion said will not be revealed at this time "due to the sensitivity of this ongoing investigation" — exhibited significant bruising and swelling to her face, as well as scratch marks to her neck.
She told the officers that she had been assaulted and was being held against her will.
Mannion said the women was allegedly abducted by Cunningham earlier in the day in New Haven.
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"From there he took her over to his apartment in West Haven where the assaults took place," he said. "She was detained against her will for an extended period of time before they left in her car and ended up in East Haven."
Cunningham was placed under arrest and transported to East Haven Police Department. He was initially charged with first-degree unlawful restraint and risk of inury to a minor.
He is currently being held on $300,000 bond.
Mannion said Cunningham "is a convicted felon who has been arrested for similar incidents" in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
"This is a very serious on-going domestic violence case involving several agencies including West Haven," Mannion said, adding that additional criminal charges against Cunningham "are anticipated."
The child was unharmed. The mother was sent to Yale New Haven Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
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