Abduction attempt: Court hears woman tries to snatch baby girl in Flemington carpark

A grandmother fought off and chased a woman who tried to snatch her granddaughter in a Flemington carpark, a court has heard. A 36-year-old woman faces a maximum 10 years’ jail over the terrifying attack.

A woman has fronted court over a chilling child abduction attempt in Flemington in 2017.

Details of how a grandmother fought off a woman who tried to abduct her granddaughter have been revealed in court.

Jacinta Hodgers, 36, pleaded guilty in the County Court last week to one charge of recklessly causing injury and two charges of theft. She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and three months’ prison.

The frightening attack happened minutes after Diana Fuentes parked and went into Coles on Epsom Rd Flemington, just after 3.30pm on October 2 2017.

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Ms Fuentes left her mother-in-law Ruth Ruiz and aunt in the car with her baby girl Bianca Fuentes in the back seat.

Minutes later, Jacinta Hodgers, then 34 years old, approached the car and peered through the back window.

Ms Ruiz thought Hodgers was trying to tell her something and opened the passenger window.

Hodgers then screamed at Ms Ruiz: “I hate you, you f***ing b**ch”.

A baby girl was almost snatched outside Coles in Flemington two years ago.

Hodgers then opened the front passenger door and tried to snatch baby Bianca.

Ms Ruiz got out of the car to try and stop her, but Hodgers chased the grandmother back into the car and leaned through the window and fought with Ms Ruiz.

Ms Ruiz then tried to start the car but Hodgers grabbed the car keys from her hand.

The pair then grappled for the keys outside the car, but Hodgers hit the grandmother multiple times to her wrist and shin.

Hodgers ran away but Ms Ruiz ran after the thief to get the car keys back.

Hodgers eventually threw the keys on to the road and kept running. She hailed a taxi in Ascot Vale but was pulled over by police, who found two box cutters in her possession.

Hodgers was arrested but was unfit for interview.

She is being held in remand until sentencing.

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