Kidnapping charge alleges woman fled with her baby during supervised visit in Scott County

Authorities early Wednesday located in Wisconsin a 25-year-old woman and the 9-month-old son she allegedly abducted the previous afternoon from a protective custody visit in the Scott County Government Center.

Noncustodial parent Zenitra Z. Forester and son Jahki Forester were found about 5 a.m. Wednesday just east of Red Wing in Hager City, Wis., according to Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen.

The boy is "unharmed and is safe," Hennen said in a statement.

Forester, of Hamel, remains in the Pierce County jail ahead of her being extradited to Minnesota, where she was charged with kidnapping.

According to the criminal complaint:

Forester was scheduled to visit with Jahki at the county's Human Services offices with his foster parents present. The boy was put on a "health and safety" hold by Shakopee police that began Friday and was to expire Wednesday. The hold followed allegations from the boy's father that Forester threw the boy to the ground and punched the child.

Forester put Jahki in a bear hug and ran out of the Government Center as child protection workers gave chase but lost sight of them after several blocks.

Roughly three hours later, Forester emailed and texted one of the workers to say she thought the hold ended Wednesday.

About 5 a.m. Wednesday, sheriff's deputies tracked her cellphone to the Red Wing area, where police on both sides of the state border were notified that Forester was on the run.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office realized it had contacted Forester at a home Tuesday night after a 911 call. Deputies went back to the home and located Forester and Jahki. She was arrested, and the boy was taken to a hospital in St. Paul.