Angolan woman accused of kidnapping 5-year-old girl

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Steuben County, Indiana, sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbing report of a small child allegedly being taken from a home located at 4700 County Road 100 S. in western Pleasant Township.

Police officers immediately sprang into action and began a coordinated effort with local law enforcement officials to assist in the search for the child.

After conducting a detailed preliminary investigation, it was revealed that a 5-year-old boy had been taken away from the care of the child’s father by a relative who was opposed to the child leaving the care of that relative.

Identified as Patricia Reffeitt, 49, the relative drove away from the residence with the child in a red passenger car.

Details later emerged indicating that the suspect was on his way to the hospital where the child’s mother, who was going through a divorce from her father, was undergoing a medical procedure at Cameron Hospital in Angola.

In a commendable show of efficiency, sheriff’s deputies quickly located the child and Reffeitt, ensuring the child’s safe return to his father within approximately 30 minutes of receiving the initial report.

Reffeitt refused to speak to detectives and was arrested without incident.

Following these events, Reffeitt was booked into the Steuben County Jail on a preliminary charge of kidnapping, classified as a fifth-degree felony.

She is currently in custody without bail pending her first court appearance.