Woman arrested in kidnapping attempt

A Newport Beach woman is being held on $500,000 bail after police said she tried to kidnap her biological son from his foster parents.

Niveen Ismail, 43, was arrested Friday afternoon after agreeing to pay an undercover Newport Beach detective money to kidnap her 7-year-old and take him to Tijuana, Mexico, where she would pick him up, authorities said.

Police were tipped off that Ismail was soliciting private investigators for the plot, said Sgt. Evan Sailor.

Authorities would not reveal the name of the foster parents, child or investigators because of the sensitive nature of the investigation, Sailor said.

If Ismail contacted you or anyone you knew about this plot, call Det. Penny Freeman at (949) 644-3776.

— Joseph Serna