NY man accused of taking baby, mom in Ansonia arraigned, could face more charges

A New York man accused of abducting his infant daughter and her mother in Ansonia was arraigned in Derby Superior Court Monday where his bond was set at $50,000.
Joshua Lopez, 23, went before a judge on charges of violation of a protective order and breach of a peace, but the prosecutor said more charges are possible as Ansonia police continue to investigate. Police were called to High Street around 5:30 p.m. Saturday for a possible kidnapping.

“The first officer on scene met with the complainant who reported that her sister and her 6-month-old niece were taken from the area by the boyfriend and father of her sister and niece,” said Lt. Patrick Lynch. Lynch told News 12 the woman and child were visiting from New York.
Court documents show they were at a family party when Lopez showed up, demanded his daughter, and threatened those in attendance. Witnesses described him as  “verbally combative” and “irate.” The police report states people told Lopez he couldn’t take his daughter and brought up the protective order that prohibits him from contact with her mother. It was issued in connection to a pending third-degree assault case in New York.
When told to leave, the report states Lopez said, “Oh you guys want to act like that now watch what I’m going to do,” then went to the trunk of his car and appeared to grab something. That’s when most of the family ran back into the house thinking he had a gun because “he is known to be very violent,” according to the report.
Police said Lopez then forced the woman, who was holding the infant, into the car and took off.
Police immediately posted on social media about the incident, including pictures and a description of the car Lopez was driving. Shelton police located Lopez around 7 p.m. and took him into custody. At the time, the woman and child were not with him.
“They were both safe. They had contacted a different family member who came and picked them up,” Lynch said.

In court Monday, the judge entered a new protective order blocking any contact not just with the woman but the child. Lopez appeared visibly distraught and asked, “I can’t see my child?”

The judge said the protective order could be modified in the future, but as of right now, Lopez is not to see either his child or her mother.  He returns to court Oct. 6.