UNITED STATES – A 39-year-old woman was charged Tuesday in what authorities say was an attempted kidnapping of the 9-month-old grandson of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana from his home in Southern California.
Sodsai Predpring Dalzell of Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles County court to felony attempted kidnapping of a child under the age of 14 and robbery.
“Ms. Dalzell is very apologetic and very concerned for the well-being of the family,” Dalzell’s attorney, Ayinde Jones, said outside of court. “She understands the damage this has caused to family, friends and also to fans of the Montana family. So our heart goes out to them. “
Montana, 64, told sheriffs the boy was asleep Saturday in a playpen at his home in Malibu when an unknown woman came in and picked up the boy.
Montana and his wife, Jennifer, confronted her, tried to de-escalate the situation and asked her to return the baby, authorities said.
After a brief struggle, Jennifer Montana took the girl away and Dalzell fled the home, authorities said. She was later arrested nearby.
None was injured.
Jones said she plans to present a credible defense, “focused on ensuring that Ms. Dalzell gets the help she may need.”
The lawyer said that “he has no hindsight, no idea why he did what he did, he just apologizes very much. He has told me over and over again that he understands the damage he has caused. As a parent, I can only imagine the pain it has caused the Montana family. “
Dalzell’s bail was set at $ 200,000 and he was told to return to court on October 20. She could receive eight years in prison if convicted. She has no prior criminal record.
“Terrifying situation, but grateful everyone is okay,” the former San Francisco 49ers star tweeted Sunday.
Montana played 13 years of his 15-year career with the 49ers, who won four Super Bowls with him as the starting quarterback. He retired in 1994 after two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He and Jennifer Montana, a philanthropist and former model, have been married since 1985 and have four grown children. It is unclear which of the boys is the girl’s father.
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