A shocking incident unfolded at the Fair Oaks Shopping Center in Virginia when a man diagnosed with schizophrenia, Andres Caceres Jaldin, was caught on surveillance camera abducting a 3-year-old girl who had wandered away from an indoor play area. The security footage shared by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office captured the distressing moment when Jaldin snatched the toddler in his arms and began walking away with her.
The child’s father, who had been watching her, quickly alerted his wife, who was shopping at a nearby JCPenney. The mother spotted Jaldin carrying the little girl on the second floor of the store and confronted him. Jaldin handed over the child without incident, claiming he was only trying to help her find her parents. However, he then fled the shopping center in a stolen car.
Police were able to track the stolen vehicle to a hotel in Chantilly, where Jaldin was arrested. This was not the first time Jaldin had been in trouble with the law. Court records revealed a history of violent assaults on his family members, including charges of assault and battery, malicious wounding, and property damage.
In 2024, Jaldin was charged with multiple counts of assault and battery against his mother, father, and brother. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia during a psychiatric evaluation, all charges related to the assaults on his family were eventually dropped. While awaiting trial, Jaldin was once again accused of assaulting his family members.
Following the abduction incident at the mall, Jaldin was charged with abduction of a minor and grand larceny. He is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond. Thankfully, the toddler did not suffer any injuries during the ordeal, as her vigilant mother was able to confront the suspect and retrieve her daughter before he fled the scene.
