The incident began around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at a check-in counter in Miami International Airport. A mother stood in line with her 4-year-old son, who was visibly upset and crying, a common scene in the frenetic atmosphere of early-morning travel. Alvina Omisiri Agba, a 23-year-old from Luton, England, approached the mother, offering to help soothe the distressed child. Trusting the gesture, the mother handed her son to Agba, hoping for a moment of relief.
But what seemed like a kind offer quickly turned sinister. According to an arrest report, Agba began walking away with the boy, moving away from the mother and toward a different area of the terminal. When the mother realized her son was being taken, she followed, finding Agba sitting on the floor with the child. The situation escalated when Agba refused to return the boy, insisting he was hers and wrapping her arms and legs around him to prevent the mother from retrieving him.
A Mother’s Desperate Struggle
The mother’s panic grew as she demanded her son back, only to be met with resistance. Agba’s refusal turned physical, with reports indicating she pushed the mother and tightly gripped the boy’s legs, preventing any movement. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with the mother trying to free her son from Agba’s grasp. According to GlobalX Air employees, Agba’s actions took a horrifying turn when she allegedly slammed the child on the floor multiple times, intensifying the mother’s desperation.
The commotion drew the attention of another individual, identified as Montano, who intervened by grabbing the boy and moving behind the counter to shield him. Agba, undeterred, crawled under the counter, screaming for “her child” to be returned. Three men stepped in, forming a barrier to keep Agba at bay, allowing the mother to safely reunite with her son. The swift actions of bystanders were crucial in preventing further harm, highlighting the power of collective response in a crisis.
Police Intervention and Arrest
Deputies from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office were quickly alerted and located Agba at another airport checkpoint. She was detained without incident and taken into custody, later transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Agba faces two counts of battery and one count of interference with custody, charges that reflect the severity of her actions. The arrest report details a troubling account of Agba’s behavior, noting her claim that she only took the child because “God told her to do it.”
During her interview with deputies, Agba recounted seeing the crying child and offering to help, mentioning a rainbow-colored wall she thought might calm him. However, she claimed to have no memory of the events that followed, including the mother’s attempts to reclaim her son. Her statements, combined with witness accounts and employee reports, paint a picture of a disturbing episode that could have ended far worse without quick intervention.
Charges and Legal Implications
Agba’s actions have led to serious legal consequences. The charges of battery and interference with custody carry significant penalties under Florida law, particularly given the involvement of a minor. The battery charges stem from the alleged physical altercation with the mother and the reported slamming of the child, while interference with custody addresses Agba’s refusal to return the boy. These offenses could result in jail time and fines, with the court likely to consider the emotional and physical impact on the child and mother.
The case also raises questions about Agba’s mental state, given her reference to divine instruction. While not yet confirmed, such claims may prompt a psychological evaluation as part of the legal process. For now, Agba remains in custody, with her case moving forward in the Miami-Dade judicial system. The incident has left the community grappling with how such a brazen act could occur in a heavily monitored public space.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
The episode at Miami International Airport has sent ripples through the South Florida community, where busy travel hubs are a way of life. Parents, in particular, are shaken, questioning how to protect their children in environments assumed to be safe. Airports, with their security protocols and crowds, are typically seen as secure, yet this incident exposes vulnerabilities that can arise in fleeting moments of trust.
Witnesses and employees, like GlobalX Air supervisor Dayanis Ojeda, expressed shock at the audacity of Agba’s actions. The incident has sparked discussions about enhancing airport safety measures, from increased staff training to better monitoring of passenger interactions. It also serves as a reminder for travelers to remain vigilant, even in seemingly secure settings, and to trust their instincts when something feels off.
A Call for Vigilance and Healing
For the mother and her young son, the ordeal is far from over. While the child was safely returned, the emotional toll of the experience may linger, prompting questions about support services for families affected by such traumas. Community resources, like counseling services and child welfare programs, can play a vital role in helping them heal. The incident also underscores the importance of bystander intervention, as the actions of Montano and others were pivotal in resolving the crisis.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice and preventing similar incidents. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and authorities encourage anyone with additional information to contact them at 305-471-2400 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. This heart-wrenching event at one of America’s busiest airports is a sobering reminder to stay alert, protect the vulnerable, and foster a community where such acts are met with swift and decisive action.
