Faced with a public spotlight and a threat for recall, 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden pointed to “misinformation” about a recent kidnapping case and called for changes in legislation for dealing with incompetent offenders.
Several major recent cases — notably the death of 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver and attempted kidnapping by registered sex offender Soloman Galligan — in her district have forced Padden into a less-than-desirable spotlight.
Galligan, 34, was arrested in April 2024 after what police believe to have been an attempt to kidnap a young boy from the playground of Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora. Prosecutors said Galligan is mentally incompetent to proceed to trial and the charges against him are expected to be dropped…