Father, girlfriend arrested in murder attempt on baby at San Leandro McDonald's

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SAN LEANDRO (KTVU) -- The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against an Antioch man and woman for conspiring to kill the man’s 11-month-old son.

The two are charged with conspiracy to commit and crime and attempted murder of an 11 month old boy as he sat with his mother inside a McDonald’s in San Leandro.

San Leandro Police identified the suspects as Marcel Brooks and Adanna Ibe, both in their late 20s, Police said Brooks is the father of the baby boy and Ibe is Brooks' girlfriend.

According to court documents, Brooks baited the mother of one of his children to bring his 11 month old son into a McDonald’s in downtown San Leandro Monday afternoon. Once Brooks confirmed the infant and mother were inside, he communicated with Ibe via cell phone to “carry out the plan.”

San Leandro police Lt. Isaac Benabou said Ibe went into the McDonald's at 1287 Washington Ave. around 2:30 p.m. that day and fired a shot while standing approximately 1 foot away.

“The female suspect was inside the restaurant, approached the female and her child, she fired one shot at close range, then exited the restaurant,” Benabou said. “In my opinion, it was a miracle she missed.”

The bullet struck a glass window, but no one was hurt. There were about 20-30 people inside the restaurant at the time.

Ibe allegedly fled in a car and Brooks walked to BART to go home. Court documents said he never checked on the victim or his 11 month old son.

Brooks and Ibe were arrested Tuesday in a Sacramento motel. Police said the two share a 5-year-old son.

The allegations come as a shock to Brooks’ family and current girlfriend. They said Ibe is an ex-girlfriend and the two co-parent the 5-year-old child. Brooks’ aunt, Nina Clark, said he has a full time job as a truck driver and is a good, honest man who supports his children.

 >>>>>To see the affidavit charging documentsClick here

“I don’t believe it,” she said of the allegations.” I know what Marcel is capable of. I don’t know what Adanna is capable of. I know my nephew Marcel is not capable of that. He has kids. He would not hurt a child.”

Detectives believe that the shooting on Monday may not be the first time that Brooks and Ibe tried to harm the baby and are continuing to investigate the pair, according to Benabou.

“A lot of us have been involved in police work for many years,” Benabou said. “I can tell you I’ve never investigated a case where the intended murder victim is an infant. It’s very disturbing.”

Court document said Brooks has denied any involved in the attempted murder. Ibe reportedly confessed to the crime, but said it was Brooks’ idea and plan.

The two are being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail. They are being held without bail.