Police: Child attacked by dog after being abducted by aunt

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A woman is in jail after police say she abducted her niece and nephew while she was high on drugs.

Officers say 29-year-old Kristina Pantalias took the two children, ages 6 and 10, from their home against their will.

Pantalias claimed innocence during her first appearance in court Wednesday morning.

Police say Pantalias was just days out of jail and high on meth when she stole a car, then broke into her sister’s apartment on the 2800 block of SE 15th Place in Cape Coral early Tuesday morning.

They say she then drove the children to the Hilton House Apartments off US 41 in Fort Myers.

There officers say a friend’s dog attacked the 6-year-old girl, her wounds so serious she needed stitches.

While investigating the girl’s injuries, detectives found Pantalias with her nephew at the Hilton House Apartments. Through the window, police say they could see a purse and bloody towels on the floor.

Police say Pantalias hid drugs in one of the kids’ pants pockets. Two baggies of heroin, two Methadone pills and Suboxone in tinfoil was found.

She was taken into custody for charges of kidnapping and grand theft. A search warrant was obtained for the Fort Myers apartment. The aunt’s and grandmother’s purses were found, along with a wallet that was stolen. Bloody paper towels and swabbings were also seized.

FMPD located the narcotics in the child’s pockets and were going to charge Pantalias with additional crimes.

According to officials, Pantalias told the arresting officer that she just wanted to take her niece and nephew out for a good time.