On Nancy Grace’s show last night she demonstrated the unique ability to present two sets of “facts” with no attempt to reconcile the difference. Is the issue of women stealing babies becoming more common place or is it declining?
“The recent phenomena of women stealing children from other ladies and inflicting physical harm on the natural mom seems to be growing. At one point, it was practically unheard of. But now out of the heartland in Missouri, another example. Tonight, the search for 10-day-old baby Abigale goes on. Miraculously, her mother surviving a slash to the throat. That`s the good news. But tonight, where is baby Abby?”
She later asks Marc Klaas, beyondmissing.com for his thoughts. He responded,
“ In 2002, 217 cases of women stealing other peoples babies for themselves. Most of those were resolved quickly.”
From 1983 to 2002, there were 217 reported cases of non-family infant abductions, and all but a few babies were recovered safely within 25 miles of where they had been taken, according to a 2003 study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. About three-quarters of the kidnapped infants were recovered in fewer than five days.
Read this PDF for a study on baby abductions and to read more about the Profile of an abductor of children from healthcare facilities.
Investigative Considerations: The Offender Profile indicates that the Abductor
- 1) Female of “childbearing” age (range now 12 to 50), often overweight.
- 2) Most likely compulsive; most often relies on manipulation, lying, and deception.
- 3) Frequently indicates that she has lost a baby or is incapable of having one.
- 4) Often married or cohabitating; companion’s desire for a child or the abductor’s desire to provide her companion with “his” child may be the motivation for the abduction.
- 5) Usually lives in the community where the abduction takes place.
- 6) Frequently initially visits nursery and maternity units at more than one healthcare facility prior to the abduction, asks detailed questions about procedures and the maternity floor layout, frequently uses a fire exit stairwell for her escape, and may also try to abduct from the home setting.
- 7) Usually plans the abduction, but does not necessarily target a specific infant; frequently seizes any opportunity present. Frequently impersonates a nurse or other allied healthcare personnel.
- 8) Often becomes familiar with healthcare staff, staff work routines, and victim parents.
- 9) Demonstrates a capability to provide “good” care to the baby once the abduction occurs.
After reading your abductor profile, I could only think about my case. Though I was an infant when I was kidnapped, I am still affected by the incident today. The woman who kidnapped was never caught. What is interesting, is while I was reading the criteria listed in the profile, I could not help but say yes to every identification marker. Now older, I’ve become even more intrested in my case and the profile of the woman who kidnapped me. I was abandoned in a laundry mat after four days after I was kidnapped. I just wanted to let you know that your article and website gave me some closure. Thank you.