Infant Boy, Sonoma County Mother Suspected In Kidnapping Found Safe
SIERRA COUNTY (CBS SF) -- A Guerneville woman suspected of kidnapping her 7-month old son from his grandmother's Guerneville home Sunday is in the Sierra County Jail and her son is in protective custody Tuesday afternoon, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said.
Hannah Ruth Ashley, 35, was arrested by a California Highway Patrol officer around 3 p.m. in Downieville after a grocery store clerk recognized her and called the CHP, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said.
Ashley was carrying the baby in a duffle bag, and she was taken into custody after a brief struggle, Crum said. She is being held under a $140,000 warrant for kidnapping, child stealing and burglary, Crum said.
Seven-month-old Henry Massey was evaluated at a hospital, Crum said.
A passerby recognized Ashley's silver 2005 Subaru Forester Monday night and called the CHP, Crum said. The CHP, based in Grass Valley, responded and the officer turned his patrol car around but Ashley was gone, Crum said.
She parked her car on a dead end street before going into the grocery store, Crum said.
The incident began when the boy's grandmother told the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office around 8:30 a.m. Sunday that she suspected Ashley took the boy from his crib. She said Ashley made threats during her visitations to take the child back.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office issued a "be on the lookout" and gave a description of Ashley, the boy and Ashley's vehicle on Sunday.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office then said Sonoma County Child Protective Services was concerned Ashley was incapable of adequately caring for the boy because of her past mental health issues and criminal activity, Crum said. The CHP then issued an Amber Alert Monday afternoon.
Ashley was convicted in Sonoma County Superior Court of misdemeanor charges of DUI and drug possession, according to court records.
A Sierra County Sheriff's Officer said Ashley and the boy were found and in good health but he would not release any other details.
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