Man accused of kidnapping thought he "saw midget"
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - A 34-year-old man said to have been found holding two-year-old girl in the Tempe apartment of a family he didn't know told a judge he thought he saw a "midget" when he entered "the wrong apartment".
Oren Cohen of Glendale said in court Friday he didn't do anything wrong, and initially thought the child was a "midget". Cohen told a judge that he was drinking with his friends, and stepped outside to smoke when he claims he entered "the wrong apartment".
Court Commissioner Jane McLaughlin said Cohen's statements didn't change her assessment that he's a "grave risk" to the community. She ordered him jailed in lieu of $250,000 bond on suspicion of kidnapping, burglary and aggravated assault.
Police say there's no indication that girl was injured. Her father confronted Cohen, who was arrested by police called by the child's mother.
Police say Cohen is an Israeli citizen legally in the United States.
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Tempe police say a Glendale man told investigators he was extremely intoxicated when he was found holding a 2-year-old girl in the apartment of a family he didn't know.
According to police, 34-year-old Oren Cohen was arrested early Thursday morning after he ran out of the apartment when the girl's father confronted Cohen after finding him holding the toddler.
Police say there's no indication that girl was injured and that Cohen told police he was visiting and drinking with a friend who lives in the apartment complex.
Police also say Cohen is an Israeli citizen legally in the United States.
Cohen remains jailed in lieu of $250,000 bond on suspicion of kidnapping, burglary and aggravated assault.
Online court records don't list an attorney who could comment on the allegations.