Church Hill woman charged with attempted kidnapping

CENTREVILLE, Md. — A Church Hill woman was arrested Monday evening after allegedly attempting to kidnap a child at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Fair, according to local authorities.

Alexandra Kay Dawson, 28, was taken into custody around 6 p.m. after fair attendees, including a family member of the child and bystanders, intervened to stop the alleged abduction. Deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, already on site as part of the fair’s emergency response team, responded within moments.

According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, the fair’s emergency protocols were activated immediately following the alert. Dawson was identified by witnesses at the scene and detained along with three individuals who had been accompanying her during the event. After an investigation, detectives determined that Dawson acted alone. The other three individuals were released without charges.

Dawson has been charged with kidnapping of a child under 16, second-degree assault, and disorderly conduct.

Detectives are continuing to investigate other unverified claims of unwanted contact involving children at the fair. While no additional incidents have been confirmed, authorities urged anyone with information to come forward.

“The quick thinking and immediate actions of the child’s family, community members, and fair staff, combined with the emergency response protocols established by the Sheriff’s Office and the 4-H Board, allowed our deputies to respond within moments,” said Sheriff Gary Hofmann. “Thanks to the strong community partnership and preparedness, we were able to bring the situation to a safe and timely resolution.”

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with further information to contact investigators as the case remains active.