Man Accused of Kidnapping Woman and Son Held

William Cunningham is being held on $500,000 bond.

A West Haven man accused of kidnapping a 27-year-old East Haven woman and their 9-month-old son and sexually abusing the woman was arraigned on Thursday and is being held on $500,000 bond.

The victim told police that William Albert Cunningham abducted her on Tuesday in New Haven, took her over to his apartment in West Haven, assaulted her and kept her against her will for an extended period of time before they left in her car and ended up in East Haven, police said.

Around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, police responded to a call reporting a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the condominium complex at 55 Thompson St. and found the car, police said.

Cunningham was in the driver’s seat. The woman was in the front passenger seat and their son was in the back.

The woman’s face was bruised and swollen, police said, and her neck was scratched. She told the officers that she had been assaulted and held against her will. The child was unharmed.

Police arrested Cunningham and charged him with unlawful restraint, first-degree and risk of injury to a minor. A first degree kidnapping charge was added during his court appearance.

Cunningham is a convicted felon who has been charged in similar incidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, police said.

The victim was sent to Yale-New Haven Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.

The judge issued a protective order for the victim and prosecutors said they expect additional charges against Cunningham.
 

Contact Us