Topline: Police say the woman barged into a home by asking for some water before she grabbed the 11-month-old from a highchair.
Published: July 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Jennifer Webster (via Scott County Jail)
DAVENPORT, IA — An Iowa woman is facing multiple felony charges after police say she forced her way into a home Monday afternoon and attempted to abduct an 11-month-old baby.
According to court documents obtained by KWQC, 49-year-old Jennifer Lee Webster showed up at a home in the 1200 block of South Michigan Avenue just after 2 p.m. on June 30 and asked the child’s great-grandmother for a bottle of water.
The relative obliged, handing her the drink and closing the door. Minutes later, police say, Webster returned—this time forcing her way inside and demanding the child. “I want that baby,” she allegedly yelled as she pushed her way through the doorway.
WQAD reports that Webster grabbed the baby from a highchair and held her tightly against her chest, restricting the child’s ability to breathe and turning her skin red. A physical altercation erupted between the great-grandmother and Webster, during which the infant was squeezed and held around the throat and face. According to KWQC, body camera footage captured the baby screaming and gasping as officers arrived to intervene.
Despite repeated commands to release the child, police say Webster refused to let go. Officers then resorted to using physical force—including several closed-fist strikes—to free the baby, a struggle that lasted nearly three minutes. The infant sustained red marks on her chest, scratches on her limbs, and a mark on her cheek. One officer was also injured in the confrontation, with documented injuries to his back, left arm, and right hand, according to the criminal complaint.
None of the parties involved sustained life-threatening injuries, and all three—the baby, the officer, and Webster—were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Webster, who police confirm has no known connection to the victims or the residence, is now charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree kidnapping, both Class B felonies, as well as child stealing, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.
A criminal protection order has been requested, and the Davenport Police Department emphasized in a statement that this appears to be an isolated incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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‘I WANT THAT BABY:’ Woman Allegedly Forced Way Into Home, Tried to Kidnap Infant
Police say the woman barged into a home by asking for some water before she grabbed the 11-month-old from a highchair.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Jennifer Webster (via Scott County Jail)
DAVENPORT, IA — An Iowa woman is facing multiple felony charges after police say she forced her way into a home Monday afternoon and attempted to abduct an 11-month-old baby.
According to court documents obtained by KWQC, 49-year-old Jennifer Lee Webster showed up at a home in the 1200 block of South Michigan Avenue just after 2 p.m. on June 30 and asked the child’s great-grandmother for a bottle of water.
The relative obliged, handing her the drink and closing the door. Minutes later, police say, Webster returned—this time forcing her way inside and demanding the child. “I want that baby,” she allegedly yelled as she pushed her way through the doorway.
WQAD reports that Webster grabbed the baby from a highchair and held her tightly against her chest, restricting the child’s ability to breathe and turning her skin red. A physical altercation erupted between the great-grandmother and Webster, during which the infant was squeezed and held around the throat and face. According to KWQC, body camera footage captured the baby screaming and gasping as officers arrived to intervene.
Despite repeated commands to release the child, police say Webster refused to let go. Officers then resorted to using physical force—including several closed-fist strikes—to free the baby, a struggle that lasted nearly three minutes. The infant sustained red marks on her chest, scratches on her limbs, and a mark on her cheek. One officer was also injured in the confrontation, with documented injuries to his back, left arm, and right hand, according to the criminal complaint.
None of the parties involved sustained life-threatening injuries, and all three—the baby, the officer, and Webster—were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Webster, who police confirm has no known connection to the victims or the residence, is now charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree kidnapping, both Class B felonies, as well as child stealing, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.
A criminal protection order has been requested, and the Davenport Police Department emphasized in a statement that this appears to be an isolated incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
‘I WANT THAT BABY:’ Woman Allegedly Forced Way Into Home, Tried to Kidnap Infant
Police say the woman barged into a home by asking for some water before she grabbed the 11-month-old from a highchair.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Jennifer Webster (via Scott County Jail)
DAVENPORT, IA — An Iowa woman is facing multiple felony charges after police say she forced her way into a home Monday afternoon and attempted to abduct an 11-month-old baby.
According to court documents obtained by KWQC, 49-year-old Jennifer Lee Webster showed up at a home in the 1200 block of South Michigan Avenue just after 2 p.m. on June 30 and asked the child’s great-grandmother for a bottle of water.
The relative obliged, handing her the drink and closing the door. Minutes later, police say, Webster returned—this time forcing her way inside and demanding the child. “I want that baby,” she allegedly yelled as she pushed her way through the doorway.
WQAD reports that Webster grabbed the baby from a highchair and held her tightly against her chest, restricting the child’s ability to breathe and turning her skin red. A physical altercation erupted between the great-grandmother and Webster, during which the infant was squeezed and held around the throat and face. According to KWQC, body camera footage captured the baby screaming and gasping as officers arrived to intervene.
Despite repeated commands to release the child, police say Webster refused to let go. Officers then resorted to using physical force—including several closed-fist strikes—to free the baby, a struggle that lasted nearly three minutes. The infant sustained red marks on her chest, scratches on her limbs, and a mark on her cheek. One officer was also injured in the confrontation, with documented injuries to his back, left arm, and right hand, according to the criminal complaint.
None of the parties involved sustained life-threatening injuries, and all three—the baby, the officer, and Webster—were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Webster, who police confirm has no known connection to the victims or the residence, is now charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree kidnapping, both Class B felonies, as well as child stealing, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.
A criminal protection order has been requested, and the Davenport Police Department emphasized in a statement that this appears to be an isolated incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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