Woman Allegedly Posed As Nurse, Attempted To Steal Newborn From California Hospital

A woman allegedly posed as a nurse in an attempt to kidnap a newborn baby from a California hospital, authorities say.

Jesenea Miron, 23, entered Riverside University Health System-Medical Center in Moreno Valley, California — about 65 miles east of Los Angeles — posing as a newly hired nurse on July 14, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a press release.  

Miron gained access to a medical unit with newborns present, entering a patient's room while identifying herself as a nurse, and attempting to take their child, the sheriff's department stated.

Hospital staff notified security and confronted Miron, who fled before being apprehended, the sheriff's office said. 

Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Moreno Valley Station identified Miron as the suspect, arresting her after serving a search warrant on a residence in the town, according to the press release. 

Items of "evidentiary value" were also found inside the residence, the sheriff's office said.

Miron was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside for kidnapping charges and is being held on a $1 million bail, according to the release.

Jennifer Cruikshank, CEO of RUHS-Medical Center, said in a statement that they are cooperating with the sheriff's department to investigate how Miron accessed the patient's room, according to KTLA, a local CW affiliate.

"Riverside University Health System-Medical Center has multiple layers of security to protect the safety and well-being of patients and staff, and we're thankful those systems and our vigilant staff were able to thwart this suspect," Cruikshank said in her statement. "Our security protocols have been reviewed and reinforced, and we have additional sheriff's deputies on campus. We are also working with the family to address their concerns and ensure their emotional well-being."