Police say a paroled stalker left clean diapers on a 20-year-old woman’s windshield at a Pennsylvania Giant grocery store and then parked behind her car to wait.
Story Snapshot
- Police say Michael John Kent, 38, kept moving his car to stay near the woman’s car, then put diapers on both of her windshield wipers.
- The woman feared it was a trafficking or abduction tactic, got a store worker to help and called police.
- Kent is charged with stalking, harassment and related counts and is held in Chester County Prison on $5,000 bail.
- He pleaded guilty to stalking in 2024 and was granted parole on Feb. 25, 2026.
What Police Say Happened In The Parking Lot
The woman parked at the Giant on Lincoln Highway in Thorndale, in Caln Township, Chester County, around 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. Police say a silver Nissan pulled into the space beside her. Store video shows the driver, whom police identified as Kent, of Kennett Square, moving his car again and again to stay near hers. Police say that while she shopped, he walked over and placed clean diapers on both of her windshield wipers. He then parked behind her car, put another object on her rear windshield and watched her car until she came back.
Police have not released a motive. Kent first told officers he had no good reason for what he did, then said again and again that he could not remember why, police say. He also admitted to placing the diapers and to taking a water bottle from the store without paying, according to police.
Why She Was Afraid
When the woman saw the diapers, she worried they were part of a trafficking or abduction tactic, police say. She also feared they could be laced with something harmful, so she asked a Giant employee to remove them. She drove away and called Caln Township police. Her dashboard camera had recorded the man placing the diapers on her car.
The Arrest And The Charges
Police identified Kent through his car’s registration and his driver’s license photo. Kent told officers he had been in the hospital and agreed to meet with them, but he never showed up and stopped answering calls, police say. Officers found him in his car at a business in the 300 block of Lincoln Highway, and he was arrested without incident.
Kent is charged with stalking, harassment, disorderly conduct, retail theft and driving while his license was suspended. He could not post $5,000 bail and was sent to Chester County Prison. His preliminary hearing, where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence for the case to move toward trial, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, before Magisterial District Judge Ann M. Feldman, a local judge who handles early court steps.
A Prior Stalking Case
Court records show Kent pleaded guilty on April 2, 2024, to misdemeanor stalking and harassment in a case brought by West Chester police. That case involved repeated messages meant to cause fear. He got three years of probation. His probation was revoked in November 2024, and he was sent to jail. His parole was revoked again on Jan. 5, 2026. He was granted parole on Feb. 25, 2026, less than eight months before the Giant incident. Records do not say whether he was still under supervision in October.
Under Pennsylvania law, stalking means following someone or repeatedly acting in ways meant to make that person fear being hurt or to cause serious emotional distress. Kent has been accused, not convicted, in the new case.
Police Are Looking For Other Victims
Caln Township police say the investigation is active. They want to hear from anyone who thinks Kent may have targeted them or who saw a similar situation. Tips can go to 610-383-1821 or 610-383-7000.
The woman in this case trusted her gut. She got help from someone nearby, left the lot and called police. Her dashboard camera captured what happened, and that footage became part of the case.
Sources:
dailyvoice.com, us.headtopics.com, 6abc.com
