An Oklahoma attorney, Tracy Zahl, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to lure a 2-year-old child out of a day care center. Zahl, 49, faces kidnapping charges following an unsettling incident at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Child Care Center on July 23, 2025.
The Incident
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Zahl entered the day care center through an unlocked door and made her way downstairs to a classroom. There, she allegedly approached a 2-year-old girl, attempting to convince her to leave the classroom and follow her.
A teacher quickly noticed the unusual behavior and intervened, pulling the child away from Zahl. The teacher then instructed Zahl to leave and notified the director about the situation.
Further Actions and Confrontation
Zahl did not leave immediately but instead continued to walk around the church. At one point, she saw a group of children walking in a line and inserted herself into the group, telling a teacher that she was “going with them.”
The teacher, possibly thinking Zahl was a volunteer, allowed her to follow the children into a classroom. Zahl then sat at a table with several other children, still refusing to leave.
When another staff member confronted her, Zahl allegedly claimed that she was “sent by God to be with the children.” After being asked to leave again, she finally departed the premises. Before leaving, a staff member managed to write down part of Zahl’s license plate number, which led authorities to track her down.
Arrest and Investigation
Using the license plate information, police located Zahl at her home, less than a mile from the church. During questioning, Zahl admitted that she made a mistake and acknowledged she had no reason to be at the day care. She explained that she did not have any children or grandchildren attending the facility.
Zahl was arrested and taken to the Oklahoma County Jail, where she remains on a $30,000 bond. According to local reports, Zahl does not have an attorney listed in court documents.
Past Legal Issues
This isn’t the first time Zahl has faced legal trouble. The Oklahoma Bar Association had previously disciplined her for forging a prescription. Additionally, in 2021, Zahl was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill a co-worker.
These past incidents have raised concerns about her behavior, and now, she faces serious charges in connection with this attempted kidnapping.
The attempted kidnapping has raised alarms about safety at day care centers, especially regarding uninvited and suspicious individuals. Zahl’s arrest highlights the importance of vigilant staff and security measures to ensure children’s safety.
This case is still under investigation, and Zahl’s legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.
