NFL legend Joe Montana and his wife, Jennifer, confronted an intruder attempting to kidnap one of their 9-month-old grandchildren on Saturday, according to Los Angeles Sheriff's Department officials.
The couple were staying at a house in Malibu, Calif. when a 39-year-old woman reportedly entered the home through an unlocked door and took the sleeping baby out of a playpen.
"Mr. Montana and his wife Jennifer confronted the female, attempted to de-escalate the situation and asked for the suspect to give back their grandchild. A tussle ensued, and Mrs. Montana was able to safely pry the child out of the suspect's arms," Sheriff's officials said.
Deputies searched the area and found Sodsai Dalzell and took her into custody on suspicion of kidnapping and burglary.
Dalzell was being held at the Century Regional Detention Facility, a women's jail in Lynwood, in lieu of $150,000 bail. She is scheduled in court in Van Nuys Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
The intruder attempted to walk away with the child when the Hall of Fame quarterback and his wife both confronted the intruder and “wrestled” their grandchild away from the woman, law enforcement sources told TMZ Sports.
The intruder left the house while Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies – who were in the neighborhood on an unrelated matter -- were flagged down by someone inside the home to catch the woman.
She was later apprehended by police and arrested on kidnapping and burglary charges.
It does not appear as if the grandchild was harmed in the incident.
Montana, 64, played in the NFL from 1979-94 and won four Super Bowls as quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
The sheriff's Malibu/Lost Hills station urged anyone with information regarding the attempted abduction to call 818-878-1808.
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