Shannon Torrez: Kidnapping: Abigale Woods. 1 Wk Old
Sep 20, 9:57 PM EDT Charges filed in Mo. baby's kidnapping By CHRISTOPHER LEONARD Associated Press Writer UNION, Mo. (AP) -- A woman who authorities say slit the throat of a young mother and stole her baby was charged Wednesday with kidnapping and assault as authorities cast doubt on her claims that she had recently lost her own baby. The baby was found in good condition late Tuesday - four days after being abducted - and the woman accused of the crime, Shannon Torrez, was arrested. In court papers, authorities said Torrez, 36, learned about the week-old baby through a "welcome home" yard sign for the new mother, Stephenie Ochsenbine. Sheriff Gary Toelke said Torrez told investigators she was nine months pregnant but lost the baby on Friday, the same day little Abigale Lynn Woods was kidnapped. But Toelke said investigators are trying to determine whether Torrez had been pregnant. "There is speculation maybe she wasn't," Toelke said at a late afternoon news conference. There also was no sign of a stillborn baby, he said. Investigators questioned how Torrez could have delivered her own baby and recovered enough physically to attack Ochsenbine on the same day. Torrez was arrested Tuesday after her sister-in-law, Dorothy Torrez, contacted authorities. "She's the hero," the sheriff said. Dorothy Torrez became suspicious when she noticed makeup on the forehead of the baby her sister-in-law claimed was her own, authorities said. She rubbed off the makeup and found a strawberry-red birthmark that matched the description of the kidnapped infant, investigators said. She contacted police, and hours later the healthy 11-day-old baby was reunited with her parents and Shannon Torrez was taken into custody. On Wednesday, Ochsenbine cradled her daughter and said the experience had been exhausting. "But I can handle anything now," she said on NBC's "Today" show, her neck still bandaged. On MSNBC, the baby's father, James Woods said: "I just wanted to hug her." Ochsenbine told police that a woman entered the rural home, attacked her with a knife and stole Abby. During the search for Abby, investigators theorized that the abductor who had recently lost a child or was unable to have children. Shannon Torrez lives a few miles from Ochsenbine's home. She was being held on $1 million bond and was to be arraigned Thursday. Associated Press writer Jeff Douglas contributed to this report. http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BABY_KIDNAPPED?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-09-20-09-38-02

Woman Arraigned In Attack, Kidnapping Of Infant Torrez Pleads Not Guilty To Charges POSTED: 11:22 am CDT September 21, 2006 UPDATED: 11:46 am CDT September 21, 2006 UNION, Mo. -- The woman accused of slashing a young mother's throat and kidnapping her baby convulsed in sobs during her arraignment Thursday. Shannon Torrez, 36, of Lonedell, whispered not guilty to all four counts -- kidnapping, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action -- during her appearance in Franklin County Associate Circuit Court. Police say Torrez abducted 7-day-old Abigale Lynn Woods on Sept. 15 after slashing the throat of the infant's mother, 21-year-old Stephenie Ochsenbine, then tried to pass the newborn off as hers for five days before her sister-in-law became suspicious. The child, known as Abby, was returned to her parents Tuesday, the same day Torrez was arrested. Wearing handcuffs and an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, Torrez's legs shook as she stood before Judge David Hoven. She cried and spoke only in hushed tones, whispering "yes" when asked if she understood the charges. At one point, she leaned back to a deputy and said, "Could you get me a tissue?" Hoven denied a request by Torrez's attorney, Daniel Briegel, to reduce her $1 million bond. She remains in the Franklin County Jail. Prosecutor Robert Parks said Torrez could face life in prison if convicted. http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/9902582/detail.html

Sep 21, 2006 10:28 am US/Pacific Alleged Baby Thief Sobs In Court Shannon Torrez Pleads Not Guilty to Kidnapping, Assault, Other Charges (CBS News) UNION, Mo. The woman accused of slashing a young mother's throat and kidnapping her baby convulsed in sobs during her arraignment Thursday. Shannon Torrez, 36, whispered not guilty to all four counts — kidnapping, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action — during her appearance in Franklin County Associate Circuit Court. Police say Torrez abducted 7-day-old Abigale Lynn Woods on Sept. 15 after slashing the throat of the infant's mother, 21-year-old Stephenie Ochsenbine, then tried to pass the newborn off as hers for five days before her sister-in-law became suspicious. The child, known as Abby, was returned to her parents Tuesday, the same day Torrez was arrested. Wearing handcuffs and an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, Torrez's legs shook as she stood before Judge David Hoven. She cried and spoke only in hushed tones, whispering "yes" when asked if she understood the charges. At one point, she leaned back to a deputy and said, "Could you get me a tissue?" Hoven denied a request by Torrez's attorney, Daniel Briegel, to reduce her $1 million bond. She remains in the Franklin County Jail. Prosecutor Robert Parks said Torrez could face life in prison if convicted. Police say Torrez told them that after giving birth to a stillborn child Friday morning, she drove by Ochsenbine's home a few miles away on Missouri 47 and saw the "Welcome Home Abby" sign that stood in the yard. Investigators wonder how a woman could deliver a baby, deal with its apparent death, and then recover enough to mastermind a kidnapping all on the same day, reports CBS News correspondent Lee Cowan A search of her home has turned up no sign of a stillborn or a miscarriage. Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke said investigators continue seeking hard evidence that would support Torrez's tale. Torrez had told neighbors and family she got married last New Year's Eve and was expecting a baby, reports John Mills of CBS affiliate KMOV St. Louis. Neighbors say she appeared to gain weight, but police say they are trying to determine if she was ever pregnant. There's a solid profile of women who steal other women's babies, say experts. "These are women of child-bearing age, they tend to be married or at least living with someone, they all claim that they have miscarried or had a stillbirth or can't have children and they tend to abduct close to home in their communities or near by," Ernie Allen of the National Center of Abducted and Exploited Children said on CBS News' The Early Show. "In the vast majority of the cases we have seen, they have not" miscarried, Allen added. Torrez reportedly stopped at the home, asked to use the phone, then attacked Ochsenbine with a knife and left with the baby. A frantic five-day search ensued, drawing international attention to the rural area 45 miles southwest of St. Louis. But on Tuesday afternoon, the baby was returned and Torrez arrested Tuesday after the suspect's sister-in-law, Dorothy Torrez, contacted authorities. Shannon Torrez, who also went by Shannon Beck, told her sister-in-law on Sunday that she had given birth on Friday, FBI agent Roland Corvington said. Visiting Shannon Torrez the next day, Dorothy Torrez persuaded her sister-in-law to take the baby to see a doctor, and on Tuesday the two women went to St. Louis for that doctor's visit. Dorothy Torrez became suspicious that day when she noticed makeup on the forehead of the baby. Using the baby's cap, she rubbed off the makeup and found a strawberry-red birthmark that matched the description provided by investigators who were seeking an abducted baby. After confronting her sister-in-law, Dorothy Torrez contacted police, and hours later a healthy 11-day-old Abigale Lynn Woods was reunited with her parents. Shannon Torrez was taken into custody. Shannon Torrez lives just a few miles from Ochsenbine's home near Lonedell, Corvington said. She worked as a nail technician for a year-and-a half in St. Charles before being fired in 2005 for unprofessional behavior and not having a license, according to Vel Green, director of Spa Winghaven. http://cbs2.com/topstories/topstories_story_264090931.html

Posted on Fri, Sep. 22, 2006 Babynapping suspect stays in jail as bond request fails Chained Torrez wipes tears in court Associated Press UNION, Mo. - The woman accused of slashing a young mother's throat and kidnapping her baby remains jailed on $1 million bond after pleading not guilty at her arraignment Thursday. A shaken Shannon Torrez, 36, of Lonedell, appeared in Franklin County Associate Circuit Court on charges of kidnapping, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. Torrez's attorney, Daniel Briegel, asked that her bond be lowered to $100,000, saying the $1 million amount was excessive. Judge David Hoven ruled in favor of prosecutors, who said Torrez remains a danger to the community. Police say Torrez abducted 7-day-old Abigale Lynn Woods on Sept. 15 after slashing the throat of the infant's mother, 21-year-old Stephenie Ochsenbine. Torrez tried to pass the newborn off as hers for five days before her sister-in-law became suspicious, according to police. The child, known as Abby, was returned to her parents Tuesday, the same day Torrez was arrested. Torrez barely spoke during the hearing. Briegel entered pleas of not guilty on her behalf. She repeatedly wiped tears from her face with her manacled hands. She shook noticeably as she appeared before the judge. Torrez shot one brief glance back toward her relatives in the courtroom, including her husband. Her relatives didn't speak to reporters. Hoven set Torrez's preliminary hearing for Dec. 19. After her hearing, Torrez rose from her seat, bending awkwardly in her chains, and turned to Briegel. "I go back?" she asked him. "Yes, you go back." Torrez returned to jail without speaking to a throng of journalists that descended on this small town during an exhaustive five-day search for Abby Woods. Police allege Torrez took the child and tried to pass it off as her own. She told authorities she was pregnant and delivered a stillborn child Friday before attacking Ochsenbine. Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke said investigators have doubts about her story, and are searching for the dead infant she would have delivered. Toelke didn't return a message seeking comment Thursday. Torrez's husband has been questioned but not arrested, Toelke has said. http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/15580813.htm

Abduction suspect had been pregnant, doctor says By Greg Jonsson ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 09/30/2006 A medical examination of Shannon Torrez, the woman accused of attacking a Franklin County woman and stealing the woman's 7-day-old baby, supports what she told investigators: She had recently been pregnant. Torrez told investigators she lost a nearly full-term baby on Sept. 15, the same day authorities say she pushed her way into Stephenie Ochsenbine's home near Lonedale, cut Ochsenbine's neck and took Oschenbine's baby daughter, Abigale Lynn Woods. Abigale was returned safely less than a week after she was taken when Torrez's suspicious relatives alerted authorities about the baby she claimed was hers, according to authorities. Ochsenbine, 21, survived the attack and was released from a hospital before her daughter was returned. Investigators, suspicious about whether Torrez, 36, really had been pregnant, searched her home and property both for evidence in the kidnapping case and indications she had been pregnant. Now that a doctor has confirmed Torrez was recently pregnant, the question returns as to where the baby's body is located. Investigators did find a fetus buried on the property, but it could not have been the baby Torrez had said she was recently carrying. The fetus unearthed on the property died in 2000, authorities said in a brief statement about the case released Friday afternoon. The fetus had died of natural causes, according to the examination by Dr. Mary Case, who serves as medical examiner for Franklin County. The fetus had been buried in a marked grave. No other bodies were found after a search that included the use of a dog trained to detect human remains. Torrez was charged with kidnapping, first-degree assault and armed criminal action. She pleaded not guilty and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. gjonsson@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8253 http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/93DC96482496F01F862571F90009C688?OpenDocument

Baby Abby Abductor Faces More Charges Air Date: 10/6/2006 The woman accused of kidnapping a Franklin County newborn is facing more charges. Shannon Torrez is now charged with kidnapping, felonious restraint, burglary and several counts of armed criminal action in the September abduction of baby Abby Woods. The additional charges were filed against Torrez Thursday after a judge briefly reduced her bail. Torrez remains jailed on $1 million bond. http://www.kolr10.com/news/default.asp?mode=shownews&id=6415

Posted: Friday, Dec 22, 2006 - 08:13:28 am CST Hearing for accused baby kidnapper delayed By CHRISTOPHER LEONARD Associated Press Writer UNION, Mo. (AP) - A court hearing scheduled Thursday morning for Shannon Torrez was delayed until a mental evaluation will be completed of the woman accused of slashing a young mother's throat and stealing her newborn. Torrez's attorney, Daniel Briegel, requested the mental evaluation earlier this month. It is expected to be completed by Feb. 12, according to court documents. Franklin County Circuit Judge Gael Wood ordered late Wednesday that Torrez's hearing be delayed until Feb. 13, one day after the evaluation is scheduled to be filed in court. Wood ordered the Missouri Department of Mental Health to conduct the evaluation. Torrez, 36, remains in Franklin County jail on $1 million bond. “We really can't do anything until the (psychiatric) evaluation comes back,” said Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Parks. The evaluation must determine if Torrez suffers from a mental disease and knew right from wrong when she allegedly kidnapped the infant in September. Briegel wouldn't comment on the case Thursday. Police say Torrez abducted 7-day-old Abigail Lynn Woods on Sept. 15 after slashing the throat of the infant's mother, 21-year-old Stephenie Ochsenbine. Abby's father and Ochsenbine's boyfriend, James Woods, was at work when the attack allegedly occurred. Torrez tried to pass the newborn off as her own for five days before her sister-in-law became suspicious, according to police. The child was returned to her parents unharmed the night Torrez was arrested. After she was in custody, police searched Torrez's property - just a few miles south of Ochsenbine's home - and found a marked grave for a buried fetus that died in 2000. Parks said Thursday the fetus was Torrez's miscarried child. He said it's legal to bury a corpse on private property and doesn't plan to file charges over the matter. Torrez told police she had given birth to a second dead child the day Abby Woods was kidnapped, and a medical exam found she was recently pregnant, according to Parks. Police have never found the remains of Torrez's child that allegedly died in September, he said. James Ochsenbine, Abby's grandfather, said the abducted child who was returned is “just fine.” He said Stephenie Ochsenbine no longer lives in the home where Abby was abducted and is staying with family. Stephenie Ochsenbine told KSDK-TV last month that Abby was hungry upon her return and is being “spoiled” by a mother who missed her dearly during the days she was kidnapped. “It changed my life, because of it,” Ochsenbine said. “Just having her now, it's definitely a miracle.” http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2006/12/22/news_state/009state32kidnap.txt

Court Date Set in Ochsenbine Kidnapping Case Posted by Stephen McCaskill on 30th November 2006 Shannon Torrez and her attorney appeared in court today, to start the process of her trial for kidnapping Abigale “Abby” Woods. She pled not guilty to the kidnapping and assault of Stephenie Ochsenbine. She also waived her arraignment. Her attorney Dan Briegel, filed motions for change of venue and a speedy trial. Franklin County Prosecutor Robert Parks had previously filed motions for finger and palm prints. All the motions should be heard at the next court date, December 12, 2006. http://www.crimesceneblog.com/?p=390

Woman Accused Of Kidnapping Baby Wants Venue Change Friday, Sep 7, 2007 @07:14am CST (Union) -- The attorney for a woman accused of kidnapping a Franklin County newborn wants a change of venue. The attorney for Shannon Torrez is asking for jurors to be brought in from outside Franklin County because of the publicity surrounding the case. Torrez is charged with first-degree assault, kidnapping and armed criminal action for allegedly kidnapping baby Abby Woods and assaulting her mother in September 2006. Baby Abby was found safe a few days later. The judge is also considering a request for a gag order in the case. A hearing on the gag request is scheduled for next Tuesday. http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=11434

Shannon Torrez to Be Sentenced August 4 05/30/2008 Shannon Torrez, the Lonedell woman who pleaded no contest to charges that she kidnapped a baby after slashing the mother's throat, will be sentenced Monday, Aug. 4, in Franklin County Circuit Court. Prosecuting Attorney Bob Parks said Circuit Judge Gael Wood set the sentencing date Thursday. The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Wood's courtroom. Torrez entered an Alford plea May 9, which means she did not admit guilt but concedes that there is sufficient evidence to convict her of the crimes. Parks said a hearing set for Tuesday was merely to schedule the sentencing hearing. The defense attorney did not show up in court, he said, but did submit some alternate dates which did not work for the judge. Another set of dates submitted also didn't meet the judge's schedule, he said. "Today, we got a date that works," Parks said Thursday. Torrez, 38, will be sentenced on one count each of first-degree assault, kidnapping and armed criminal action. Five counts of armed criminal action, two counts of felonious restraint, and one count each of first-degree assault and first-degree burglary were dropped as part of a plea bargain. Under the plea agreement, Parks will not seek any more than 30-year sentences on any of the three counts, that the sentences will run concurrently and that the defense will be allowed to present mitigating evidence at the sentencing hearing. Torrez was charged with kidnapping 7-day-old Abby Woods Sept. 15, 2006, from her home and slashing Stephenie Ochsenbine's throat with a knife. Police say that Torrez went to the mother's door and Ochsenbine let her inside. At the May 9 hearing, Parks stated that Torrez then asked to use the bathroom. When she emerged, she brandished a pistol at Ochsenbine and told her she was taking the baby. "Ochsenbine got between the defendant and baby Abby. The defendant grabbed Stephenie, throwing her on a mattress on the floor," Parks said. Ochsenbine was tied up with her son Conner. Her hand injuries stem from her efforts to protect 1-year-old Conner after Torrez told her to shut him up, Parks told the court. Parks said Torrez slashed Ochsenbine twice across the throat and fled with the baby. Abby was found after Torrez's sister-in-law, Dorothy Torrez, became suspicious when she noticed makeup on the baby's forehead. When Dorothy Torrez wiped off the makeup, she discovered the birthmark that baby Abby had that the police broadcast in their search for the baby. The baby was returned, unharmed, to her family. The pistol used in the attack and the shirt Torrez was wearing were later found in Torrez's home. Parks said blood matching Ochsenbine's DNA was found on both the gun and the shirt. The abduction and subsequent return of the baby became a national and international news event. Torrez has remained in custody in the Franklin County Jail since her arrest in 2006. http://www.emissourian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19734212&BRD=1409&PAG=735&dept_id=33071&rfi=6