Authorities No Longer Suspect Conspiracy In Abduction Of Girl From Philadelphia School
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Despite strong early suspicion others were involved, a Philadelphia prosecutor now says there is no evidence of conspiracy in the case of a 5-year-old girl who was abducted from Bryant Elementary School in January (read related story).
20-year-old Christina Regusters was initially charged in February in the kidnapping and brutal physical and sexual assault of the young girl. There was a conspiracy charge -- but no more.
"We have no evidence to suggest that anybody else was involved or, at this time, knew what was going on," says Assistant District Attorney Erin O'Brien. "We told the court there is no conspiracy charge because we have no evidence to suggest that anyone else was involved in this other than the defendant."
Regusters, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in custody pending trial probably next year.
Meanwhile, O'Brien says the little victim, now 6-years-old, is recovering, but has a long way to go. An attorney for the girl and her mother says she is resilient, but will bear emotional and physical scars for the rest of her life.
O'Brien would not comment on a motive.
