CHICAGO — A 19-year-old Chicago man has been arrested and faces serious charges following a distressing incident on the city’s North Side where he allegedly attacked an 18-year-old woman and kidnapped her one-month-old baby. Authorities stated that the suspect, identified as Nickolas Watts, also assaulted the infant during the altercation.
The incident unfolded on April 18, 2025, when police were alerted to a domestic disturbance involving battery and kidnapping in the 1900 block of West Granville Avenue. According to officials, Watts was apprehended shortly after the assault, around 12:44 p.m., following a swift response from law enforcement.
Watts, residing on South Elizabeth Street, has been charged with a total of five felonies. The charges include two counts of aggravated kidnapping, with one count specifying the victim as a child under 13 years with an intellectual disability. He is also charged with aggravated battery to a child causing severe bodily harm, aggravated domestic battery, and child abduction involving concealment of a child’s whereabouts.
In addition to the felony charges, Watts faces two misdemeanor charges related to domestic battery causing bodily harm and violating an order of protection.
The circumstances leading up to this violent event remain under investigation, with police closely examining the interactions between Watts and the victims prior to the incident. The relationship dynamics and the presence of an existing order of protection suggest a complex background that legal experts believe will be significant during the trial.
The health status of both victims, the young woman and the infant, has not been disclosed by authorities, heightening concern about the severity of the incident. Community members and advocates for domestic violence and child protection are closely monitoring the case, emphasizing the need for robust legal processes to address and prevent such occurrences.
The arrest of Watts was the result of coordinated efforts by Chicago police, who managed to locate and detain him within about twenty minutes of the alleged crime. This quick response highlights the importance of prompt reporting and law enforcement readiness in handling cases involving violence and vulnerable victims.
Legal analysts anticipate a challenging courtroom process given the severe nature of the charges, particularly those involving harm to a child. The case has also sparked discussions about the measures needed to prevent similar incidents and protect at-risk individuals in domestic settings.
As the case progresses, it will likely garner significant attention from both the public and legal communities given its disturbing nature and the young ages of everyone involved. Watts remains in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.