Kidnapping suspect David Grover, 29, of 167 Belmont Ave. in the Town of Tonawanda, was arraigned this morning in North Tonawanda City Court.
Grover has been charged with kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, driving while ability impaired with drugs, unlawfully fleeing police in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, failing to use a child’s seat and various traffic violations.
Grover was transferred to the Niagara County Jail. His bail was set at $200,000.
Grover allegedly abducted 4-year-old North Tonawanda girl Serenity Platts of Tremont Street at about 8 p.m. Monday night. He was arrested at 12:17 a.m. Tuesday at Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst after dropping Platts back off on Tremont Street and leading police on a pursuit.
Grover, a former friend of the child’s mother, allegedly took Serenity from her home around 8 p.m. Monday while her mother was at work, according to North Tonawanda police. The child was being watched by her grandmother when Grover allegedly entered the home and asked to use the bathroom.
Ashley Hejmanowski, Platts cousin, said hearing Platts’ voice say her nickname after a terrifying four hours was the most amazing feeling.
“All of a sudden, I hear ‘Hi Mimi!’” she said. “Oh my God, that was the best thing ever.”
As Platts was reunited with her family, police embarked on a chase after Grover.
Additional police were called in Monday night to assist with the search. Neighbors were out with flashlights well into the night, searching for the girl.
Although police at the scene could not confirm Platts was wearing different clothes than the ones in which she was allegedly abducted, Lauzau said he was sure.
“She had a princess outfit on when she came back,” he said. “It was the first thing my wife noticed.”
When Platts was allegedly abducted earlier in the evening, she was reportedly wearing a pink shirt and red pants.
Tonawanda News reporter Phil Dzikiy contributed to this report.
