They say Jayen Patel's plans were foiled because he unknowingly asked an undercover FBI agent to do the job.
The 40-year-old Southampton man was arraigned Thursday on a charge of soliciting an individual for assistance with a kidnapping. He was released on $250,000 bond and placed under house arrest.
Prosecutors say Patel used an online social networking site to contact the agent in September. Patel claimed the child's father wanted custody of his daughter, and recommended how the kidnapping could take place.
Patel is being represented by the federal public defender's office, which did not respond to an after-hours message left Thursday.
