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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma-licensed attorney has been arrested for allegedly trying to kidnap a child that wasn’t hers.
“In this particular case, the fact that a licensed attorney tried to do that is, is very concerning because we have to assume that that attorney has clients of her own, that she’s responsible for,” said Ed Blau, legal expert.
According to court documents, on July 23, Tracy Zahl walked into the Westminster Presbyterian Church Child Care Center through an unsecured door.
Investigators say she walked downstairs to the classroom area and tried to lure a 2-year-old out of the door by telling the child, “Come with me.”
A teacher noticed what was going on and immediately grabbed the child, questioned Zahl, and told her to leave the area.
Investigators say she then found another group of children and followed them to their classroom, before being told to leave the property.
Zahl told staff that she was “sent by God to be with the children” and then left.
Oklahoma City Police later found Zahl at her home, which was less than a mile from the daycare, and she was taken into custody.
Officers say that Zahl immediately stated that she made a mistake. They also noted that she does not have a child or grandchild who goes to the daycare and had no reason to be inside the facility.
“Any time something like this happens to a licensed attorney, the first thing you wonder is, are there mental health issues? Are there drug or alcohol issues?” said Blau.
News 4 uncovered documents from Zahls’ troubling past.
In 2011, the Oklahoma Bar Association suspended her for one year after she self-reported that she was arrested for felony prescription forgery.
Then in 2021, she was charged with two misdemeanors after threatening to kill her former employer and coworker.
That former co-worker spoke with us over the phone and said, “I trust the court and the bar association to address these allegations of her behavior in an appropriate manner and to protect the public.”
News 4 also reached out to the Oklahoma Bar Association.
It is concerning when an Oklahoma licensed attorney is charged with a crime, and the Oklahoma Bar Association monitors and follows all such pending criminal charges. Pursuant to Oklahoma Supreme Court rules, the OBA cannot comment on or disclose information about pending disciplinary investigations.
Oklahoma Bar Association
Zahl is currently in the Oklahoma County Jail and is being held on a $25,000 bond.
We also reached out to the daycare for a comment, but haven’t heard back.
News 4 also requested the body cam footage of Zahl’s arrest.