Accused of crawling into Staten Island girl’s bedroom with toy, admits to attempted kidnapping

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Queens man pleaded guilty this week on Staten Island to attempted kidnapping after authorities said he tried to lure a little girl from her bedroom in Eltingville with a teddy bear and a blanket.

The defendant, Jonathan Quintero, 42, previously said he thought the house was abandoned and was as shocked to see the girl as she was to see him.

Nonetheless, he pleaded guilty Tuesday to the primary charge of attempted second-degree kidnapping in connection with the Jan. 12, 2023, incident.

In exchange for his plea, he is expected to be sentenced to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervision after his release.

Police said it was about 8:45 p.m. when Quintero knocked on the girl’s window and, once inside the room, motioned to her, “come with me.”

The accused fled the property, apparently armed with a knife, while the girl’s father chased him by car, according to a source close to the investigation.

Appearing Wednesday before Judge Lisa Gray in state Supreme Court in St. George, Quintero stood with his shoulders slumped and his head bowed.

A full protection order has been issued on behalf of the family and Quintero will be required to register with the New York State Sex Offender Registry.

His lawyer declined to comment.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon attributed the conviction to the “incredible efforts” of the NYPD and Assistant District Attorney Amir Fadl.

“John Quintero posed a clear and present danger to the safety of our community,” McMahon said.

“The safety of our children and all Staten Islanders will always be my office’s top priority and the men and women of my office will never let up in our quest to remove dangerous criminals from our streets, hold them accountable to the court and obtain justice for victims of crime.