Jeannette Roldan Kidnapped Sana Patel
November 13, 2008 by impqueen
Sana Patel and Jeannette Roldan
ChicagoChicago reviews
, IL – Jeannette Roldan, 44, wanted another little girl. On Monday, she got one. Sana Patel, 3, was playing near the entrance to a northwest Chicago CVS Pharmacy while her parents were shopping. Roldan talked to the toddler, took her by the hand, and led her out of the store. Roldan held Sana for seven hours before being caught in the alley behind her ex-husband’s house with the child. Â
Jeannette Roldan is on disability for mental health issues. And she honestly did not appear to want to hurt Sana. During the hours that she kept the child, Roldan took her to a thrift store and bought her new clothes, went home with the child, and took her to McDonald’s. She cleaned and changed Sana’s clothes when the little girl had an toileting accident, and took Sana to her ex-husband’s house to visit with him and their daughters.
Which was what got her caught. Her family knew she was having a nutbar day. They couldn’t really imagine anyone allowing Roldan to babysit for hours on end and tote a kid around the neighborhood. Plus, Jeannette Roldan was just acting weird. Then they saw Sana Patel’s face on the news. That must have been a fun conversation. It probably went something like this:
“Dad, is that kid the one Mom had with her a few minutes ago?”
“Yeah, honey, your mother is a wingnut.”
“Oh. Should we call the police?”
“Already on it, princess. Better go shut down your MyspaceMySpace
. ”
“Aw, dammit.”
Um, I paraphrased that. I wasn’t actually IN the house for the conversation. I’m sure there was probably way more “I hope she brushes her hair before her mugshot” talk, but maybe that’s only at my house. Anyway.
I should take the time here to note that I’m sure Sana’s parents are lovely, nice people. They’re actually married. To each other. I know, right? They were shopping as a family. Sana is an only child. But in what universe is it ever a good idea to let your toddler hang out and play by the entrance while you go shopping? I’ve been in CVS Pharmacies in Chicago and yeah, you can usually kind of see, if you’re watching the whole time. But look away for a few minutes, and your baby’s out the door. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just keep her with them? There were two adults and one little girl. Somebody had a hand free.
Jeannette Roldan was caught in an alley less than a mile from the CVS at about 9:20 p.m. – she’d been within a half mile radius of the store all day.   Sana was returned safely to her parents, and Roldan was arrested. She has been charged with aggravated kidnapping of a child under 13, and her bond has been set at $750,000.  Her attorney is already arguing that she “saw the child alone and just wanted to help.”
So Jaded is on this case in our forums – thanks!
9:52 am on November 13th, 2008
Aw, there’s a part of me that feels for the old wingnut. She clearly didn’t want to hurt the child, and she’s clearly a few cards short of a full deck. Since your article focuses on what they did all day rather than on the anguish of Sana’s parents, it’s kind of easy to fall into feeling like Jeannette didn’t mean any harm. It was sweet, in a weird, twisted, kidnappy sort of way.
As for leaving a 3 year old unattended in a CVS in a major city: um, not such a great idea. Though my kids know damned well not to go off with a stranger, and would have been yelling their fool heads off before they got out the door. They’ve got good lungs and are NOT afraid to use ‘em. Heh.
I’m glad Sana is ok, and even had a pretty nice day. She’s probably wondering what all the fuss is about. I hope Ms. Roldan will get the help she needs. Though I have to say that $750,000 bail is higher than we see in most beating or sexual molestation cases, and that makes me feel ill. What she did was WRONG, but she did not harm the child in any way. Either her bail is excessive, or those other bails we see are inadequate.
10:54 am on November 13th, 2008
Now that was a good line. Beautiful child though, glad she’s OK. See LookieLoo can be nice every now and then !
10:55 am on November 13th, 2008
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn still in the Que !! youre hard assses !
11:02 am on November 13th, 2008
Speaks volumes that, when the child had an “accident”, she cleaned her up – she didn’t beat her (as too many non-parents like to do)
I too feel a bit bad for her. I’m not so sure jail is the answer as much as help is. The fact that she stayed within a half mile of where she took her and she didn’t hurt her in any way… I dunno. Maybe a lesson learned for tweedle dee and tweedle dum about leaving your 3 year old child unattended in a store? My twin grandkids are 3 and I’d never even entertain the idea of turning my back on them… let alone shop while they played by the front door!
11:15 am on November 13th, 2008
She could of gone psycho at any time so thank god she is back with her parents. I do agree about keeping an eye on children at all times though. This could of been a lot worse, I’m sure her parents are thanking their lucky stars!!!
11:19 am on November 13th, 2008
WTF is wrong with parents? Letting your child run amok like that in a store is just asking for trouble. Most of these cases are due to mom and or dad being preoccupied while shopping. There are carts people! USE THEM!
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And for Christ sake get your heads out of your self absorbed asses and pay attention to the children, not the shopping list! Thank GOD it wasn’t worse!
Let’s just hope the parents learned a valuable lesson because they were so damn lucky Sana had a happy day.
done venting
11:40 am on November 13th, 2008
The parents probably didn’t even notice she was gone until they went to check out. I can’t imagine any reason that would cause me to leave a 3yo alone in any part of a store. I would love to hear their explanation of this. Not that I think it would be valid, I just want to see how cockamamie it is.
11:59 am on November 13th, 2008
JEEZUS! why do parents do this shit? yes,the little girl had a good day. its a good thing nutters didn’t harm her. does anyone remember what happened to John Walsh’s son from America’s most wanted? he and his wife let their 8 year old son go play in the toy section at a store while him and his wife shopped and his son was kidnapped AND decapitated. hope they never let that child out of their sight again.
11:59 am on November 13th, 2008
Poor nutty lady. Poor Kid who had to spend three bizarre hours with her. I’m not sure who to be angry with. But I have walked away from this story with a stronger sense of “watch your kids!” I usually allow my five year old to be very social while I’m shopping and I try not to suffocate his space too much, but you know thanks to nutty lady I have to rethink that!
12:17 pm on November 13th, 2008
I feel for this women. Wonder if she has always had mental problems and likely would never have a child of her own…very sad…
On the other hand, if it had been my child she took, she’d have a lot to answer for; but then again, she didn’t harm the child…took care of her like a baby doll.
So glad little Sana is back where she belongs, unharmed and safe.
1:08 pm on November 13th, 2008
The parents were lucky this time!
Hopefully they learned a lesson.
NEVER leave your child unsupervised…..not even for a minute.
2:55 pm on November 13th, 2008
Uggg. what do you say? How is it possible to not have your child right with you? Not understanding this. You can keep them with you without smothering them. Hold on to the cart while we walk-or shit, she looks like a little peanut-she would probably fit comfortably in the cart seat… And if she can’t agree to one of those options-well tough cookies! I will make the choice for her then!
Bet those two will think twice about such outings again…
4:41 pm on November 13th, 2008
I call my granddaughter on her cell when she is 2 blocks from the house after dark.. usually every 20 minutes, and she’s with a friend.. A 3 y o alone by a store entrance is only looking to be abducted or hurt.. I hope these two asshats are thanking God they got her back unharmed.. It only takes a minute for tragedy to strike…
4:42 pm on November 13th, 2008
Sorry, my granddaughter is almost 16..
4:47 pm on November 13th, 2008
I was wondering GM, you had me confused for a second
4:49 pm on November 13th, 2008
Sorry Cassiemomma, I get so cought up in these stories, I leave half of what I want to say out…
4:52 pm on November 13th, 2008
I hear ya. Sometimes I am amazed at how fast I start typing when I get on one of my rants. Hee hee
5:00 pm on November 13th, 2008
I guess Jeannette needs to learn a lesson about walking off with kids that don’t belong to her, but I don’t think jail is the right place for that.
Hell, I could go for a free lunch and a new outfit.
5:23 pm on November 13th, 2008
I have two boys, and would give just about anything for a little girl, especially one as cute as this one. However, I’m sane enough to avoid kidnapping. This story reminded me of something that happened to me last year. I was shopping in a bookstore with my boys when a little girl of about 4 or 5 came over and just started hanging out with my kids. She followed us around the store for at least 10 minutes. I kept listening for a parents’ frantic call while I searched up and down the isles, but nothing. Finally took her to the customer service desk for a lost child page. The girl didn’t seem at all disturbed, which makes me think she’s accustomed to wandering stores by herself. I would have loved to take her home with me, but I decided her parents would eventually care about her location. I personally keep my boys right next to me at all times when shopping, but I guess I’m just paranoid that way.
6:05 pm on November 13th, 2008
The bail is so high because she is being charged with aggravated kidnapping. (Roldan never tried to contact police and wanted to keep the child longer. )
Roldan had the child for over 7 hours before the police were called.
Roldan, who has two daughters, 18 and 23, told them that she had been babysitting the child for three days.
Roldan, allegedly took her to her home, and to a thrift store where she purchased clothing and a stuffed animal for the girl. A McDonalds and then to her ex-hubbys were they figured out who the girl was.
Roldan’s attorney, said his client suffers from diabetes and said there are questions about her mental capabilities. He said there is a history of bipolar disorder and depression in her family.
I am sure in Roldan mind the act was more like finding a lost puppy and wanting to play with it. But its hard to belive that the little girl was a willing particapant for over 7 hours. Not to mention the mental anguish of the little girls parents had to go through. Yes Roldan is a nutbar (with extra nuts). But that doesnt excuse her from not going to the police right away.
7:32 pm on November 13th, 2008
scared me for a second also,wasnt sure how old you meant,,but they are very lucky she wasnt beaten or molested it couldve turned out alot worse then it did,nice to see a happy ending once in awhile,i also am torn between feeling sorry for the woman that took her and feeling angry at the parents,hope she gets the help she desperately needs and also hope those parents learned a lesson that couldve cost them dearly,,my oldest was born during the “Adam Walsh” times where you were repeatedly told NEVER leave a child anywhere in a store to play no matter how close you are to that area because alls it takes is reading ingredients on one bottle of something you turn around and you baby is GONE!!!
9:32 pm on November 13th, 2008
Poor lonely woman.
Lucky child.
Stupid parents.
A Bubbaku:
Kidnapper took girl.
Paid more attention to her.
Ma and Pa shopped on.
11:37 pm on November 13th, 2008
All i can say,is that neither me or my wife would ever leave any of our kids alone,knowing that there are child molesters and pervs all over the place.. This just makes me wonder why the parents left this child alone like this…HMMMMMMMMMM..
1:15 pm on November 14th, 2008
I feel sorry for both the woman and the little girl. And I can’t help but shake my head at the parents.
I grew up with people who have mental issues and I have some myself, so it’s very easy for me to see Ms. Rolden’s side of things. Not that I condone the kidnapping. That’s wrong, not to mention disruptive to society and the child’s family, no matter how you’re processing information at the moment. But I do think they need to give the lady some leniency. And treatment. True, she broke the law, but intention should play some factor in how punishment is meted out. If she’d kidnapped the girl with the intent to rape her, beat her, and kill her, then yeah, lock her away and throw away the key. But that’s not what she did. Her mind, through no fault of her own, wasn’t right at the moment and she did something foolish and highly illegal. Should she be punished? Absolutely. But treated the same as someone who intended to do serious harm? No. She had to have been out of her mind to do what she did. Of all the people I know who have similar problems, no matter how nutty they can get, none of them would ever come into contact with a strange child. It’s just too dangerous.
When I see a child left alone in the store, I feel frightened and angry because I’ve read about what horrible things some people can do to children and I know there’s very little I can do to help, lest I be taken for a deviant in doing so! I learned a very hard lesson about lost children when I was a teenager. I was in a store and saw a crying child. She was lost and scared, so I comforted her and took her to customer service where we met up with her parents, who were furious and threatened to have me arrested for attempted kidnapping. When they found out that I wasn’t much older than their child (when I was a teenager, even as young as 12, I was often mistaken for an adult), they backed off. The whole incident really scared the hell out of me. I wasn’t able to even look at a child I didn’t know for about 10 years. And even though that was nearly 20 years ago, I still will not speak to or touch a child I don’t know until the parents give their okay.
And little Sana’s parents…they disgust me. I’m sorry, but in this day and age, you do NOT take your eyes off your child when you’re out in public. If you have to take your eyes off your child, keep your hand on her. If you need both your hands, get one of those little harnesses for toddlers. There are evil people in the world who will take a child if the opportunity presents itself and they will committ unspeakable horrors. (Yeah, I know I’m preaching to choir now.) And there are harmless people who don’t know what they’re doing who will take the child and make you go out of your mind with worry, which is what happened here. Thank goodness that was the case this time! Emphasis on “this time.” This is cruel of me, I know, but I’m glad Sana’s parents had to worry for those hours while she was gone. Maybe they’ll act like parents from now on, instead of leaving her to the mercy of strangers.
1:59 pm on November 14th, 2008
That’s terrible. You did them a favor and this is how they repaid you? I’m sorry that happened to you, Senna.
6:41 pm on November 14th, 2008
Just looking at this lady makes me feel mentally unwell…
11:13 pm on November 14th, 2008
Ok, I am so happy this little girl is fine and back with her family….but has anyone else noticed that these two look an awful lot alike in a weird way??? Maybe it’s just the Merlot…
12:47 am on November 15th, 2008
does anyone see a resembelence to Amy Roloff on a bad day (Little People Big World)???
6:44 pm on November 15th, 2008
That’s what my parents said. Actually, my mother shook her head and said, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
I will still help a lost child because I feel that if I ignore such a situation and something bad happens, I’ll be partially responsible on a moral level. But the help I’ll give is very indirect. What I do if I see a young child alone in a store is inform a store employee and while the parents are being paged, I stand by and don’t take my eyes off the child until the parents, store manager or police arrive. As far as I know, I can’t be arrested or sued for that. But then again, you never know.
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