A violent incident in Long Island's past continues to have far-reaching consequences for one family.
On July 4, 1956, 32-day-old Peter Weinberger was kidnapped from his stroller on the back patio of his parents' Westbury home. His remains were found off the Northern State Parkway a month later. Angelo La Marca, a Plainview mechanic and father to Vincent La Marca, confessed to the kidnapping and murder charges. He was convicted and sentenced to death.
The case led to changes in federal kidnapping statutes, with President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing legislation allowing the FBI to intervene in kidnapping cases after 24 hours, ending a seven-day waiting period.
Vincent La Marca, now 79, spoke about his father's actions: "My mother and I had no idea what the hell was going on." He recalled being shoved to the ground by investigators as they handcuffed his father. Angelo La Marca later confessed to abducting Peter Weinberger from his stroller.
The kidnapping case left a mark on the region, shattering the perception of Long Island as a safe place for children to play outside while their parents made dinner. It also had an impact on Vincent La Marca's life choices and led him to become a police officer in the City of Long Beach.
**Background**
In 1956, thousands of young families were moving from New York City to Long Island, attracted by promises of quieter, safer streets. The kidnapping case occurred just five years after the construction of Levittown, an archetype of suburban development.