Joe Montana and Wife Confront Intruder Who Tried to Kidnap Their Grandchild

A woman on Saturday afternoon entered the California home of Joe Montana, the retired N.F.L. Hall of Fame quarterback, and attempted to kidnap his 9-month-old grandchild, officials said.

The woman, identified by the authorities as Sodsai Dalzell, took the infant from a playpen and went upstairs at Mr. Montana’s Malibu home with the child in her arms around 5 p.m., the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said in a statement on Sunday.

That’s where Mr. Montana and his wife, Jennifer, confronted Ms. Dalzell and attempted to “de-escalate the situation,” officials said.

“A tussle ensued and Mrs. Montana was able to safely pry the child out of the suspect’s arms,” the statement said.

After Ms. Dalzell fled, Mr. Montana flagged down deputies who were on patrol, who found and arrested her. Ms. Dalzell, 39, was charged with kidnapping and burglary. Her bail was set at $150,000.

The Sheriff’s Department declined to share more details about what had happened or about Ms. Dalzell.

On Twitter, Mr. Montana expressed gratitude for those who showed concern.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out,” he wrote. “Scary situation, but thankful that everybody is doing well. We appreciate respect for our privacy at this time.”

Mr. Montana, a former San Francisco 49ers star, retired after the 1994 season after winning four Super Bowls for the team as its starting quarterback. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

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