Palmdale woman rescued, boyfriend arrested in alleged kidnapping

A woman allegedly assaulted and kidnapped by her boyfriend on Christmas Day was rescued Saturday from a Palmdale apartment, authorities said.

The boyfriend, identified as Giovanni McKinnis, 19, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic violence, false imprisonment and violating a restraining order, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

McKinnis allegedly assaulted the 19-year-old woman — who is also the mother of his child — at her Palmdale home on Dec. 25, then took her against her will, a sheriff’s statement said.

The victim’s mother told investigators she witnessed the incident but didn’t call police because McKinnis allegedly threatened to harm her daughter and grandchild, sheriff’s officials said. Authorities only learned of the incident when the victim’s father reported his daughter missing Saturday.

Through their investigation, detectives went to an apartment in the 1100 block of East Avenue Q-4, where they believed McKinnis was keeping the victim, authorities said. There, deputies detained McKinnis while they searched the location.

The woman was found “hidden inside the apartment and appeared extremely fearful,” sheriff’s officials said.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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kate.mather@latimes.com