A Conway woman claiming to be 9 months pregnant has been charged in connection with the kidnapping of a two week old baby.
Annette Melissa Rich, 30, of 1204 Carver St. appeared before Judge Andy Hendrick Wednesday morning where he a set surety bond of $75,000 for kidnapping Sharawn Jarod Chestnut, Jr. after the boy’s mother, Criche Nelson, reported him missing from their home on Duckett Street early Tuesday morning.
Police said Nelson told them she put Chestnut and his one-year-old sister in bed about 11 p.m. Monday. When she checked on them about midnight, she told police her son was missing.
Officers searched the area surrounding the house, but were unable to locate the child.
Conway police held a news conference Wednesday at 3 p.m. along with the family, asking for the public’s help finding Chestnut. About an hour after the news conference, police say Chestnut was found and returned to his mother, unharmed.
According to detectives, Rich told them Tuesday afternoon she had no idea where the baby was, but a witness said she saw a baby inside of a car.
Police followed tips and found the car and the baby in a bag underneath the car’s seat.
Detectives said Rich was planning to take Chestnut behind the Coca Cola plant.
Today in court, Rich said she has three kids of her own, ages 14, 9, and 5 and claims that she is nine months pregnant, two weeks overdue.
Nelson was in court today with her aunt and said she’s known Rich for two years as a friend.
Nelson told News 13 Rich had spent the day at her house and said she had a feeling that Rich had taken her baby.
"I know she regrets everything that she did and I know she feels stupid,” said Nelson, "she was actually out on the scene like she was helping look for my child...giving hugs and consulting people making sure everybody was alright that's really sick."
"We will be praying for her because in all, this is still a sad situation on both parts," said Nelson’s Aunt Bernadette Baker.
Rich's next court date is Jan. 8.
The judge ordered Rich to have no contact with the victim or her family.
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