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Subject: [Bklyn] Brooklyn Standard Union- February 16, 1931
Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 22:59:47 -0500
NEWS
Deserted Bride Detained For Hearing as Kidnaper Of Girl, 4, on Myrtle Ave.
Mary WINTERS Denies Charge-Refuses to Reveal Relatives
A pretty, nineteen-year-old deserted bride appeared in gates ave court to-day on a charge of kidnapping a four-year-old Brooklyn girl, while police, convinced she has given a fictitious name, continue their investigation in an effort to establish her identity.
She pleaded not guilty to a charge of kidnapping before Magistrate Gasper LIOTA and was held in $1,500. for a hearing Thursday.
She told the court that she had only taken the child because of love and because of a desire to keep her out of danger, Magistrate LIOTA asked her if she wanted time to get a lawyer and she replied that she didn't need one. he asked her if she wanted to get in touch with relatives, and she answered, "I won't tell you who they are, as it may cause them shame. I have a rich uncle who will help me. I'll communicate with him myself."
Efforts by police to connect the woman who c=gave her name as Mrs. Mary WINTERS, with the strange disappearance of ten-year-old Rose YASSO, a missing Red Hook girl, failed when Mrs. WINTERS, who at first answered a few questions, later closed her lips tightly and ignored all questions police put to her.
She was arrested late Saturday in a Myrtle ave restaurant, where, police charge, she had taken four-year-old Arlene HAYES after luring her from in front of her home at 1450 Myrtle ave. It is claimed she told police she tried to kidnap the girl to "fill the loneliness in her heart" caused when her husband deserted her a few days after their marriage.
DESERTED AND LONELY
" I was going to take her and love her. I have nobody," Mrs. WINTERS told police.
She explained how she saw Arlene playing in front of her home and that she felt so miserable and lonely that she decided to take the little girl with her. She was willing to describe every move she and the girl made from the time they left Arlene's home until detective DRUMM of the Wilson avenue station, who knew Arlene, recognized her eating cake and drinking milk in the restaurant.
But, when questioned about her address, her relatives and the YASSO case, Mrs. WINTERS refused to answer questions. She said she lived in a rooming house but would not give the address.
When Arlene's parents frantically phoned that their daughter had disappeared, scores of detectives and patrolmen, fearing they had another YASSO case on their hands, started a search. For several hours after the girl was reported missing, the search went on without avail. Arlene's playmates told police that a "woman had taken Arlene away to buy her some candy" and were able to give a fair description of the woman.
YASSO CLUES LACKING
Less than four hours had passed when Detective DRUMM spied the pair in the restaurant.
It lacked but one day to being three weeks since Rose YASSO disappeared from her home. During all of that time police have searched throughout the Red Hook section and have dragged the Gowanus Canal and Erie Basin for the body of the girl. In spite of the frenzied search, no trace of the girl has been found.
Mrs. WINTERS said she knew nothing of the YASSO girl and then refused to answer any more questions.
Transcribed for the Brooklyn Information page by Elaina Koplar
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