2 Suspects In Aliquippa Attempted Kidnapping Arraigned
ALIQUIPPA (KDKA) -- Two of three women wanted by police in connection with an attempted kidnapping case in Beaver County have turned themselves into police.
Andrea McFarland, 29, the sister of the child's mother, and 34-year-old Danielle Jackson, accused of driving the alleged getaway car, turned themselves into Aliquippa Police Friday afternoon after discovering they face attempted kidnapping charges following the incident in June.
Police say the two women, along with 24-year-old Savanna McFarland, went to Aliquippa from Pittsburgh so that Savanna could reclaim her 4-year-old daughter from her foster parents.
Police say they parked near the foster parent's home, and then Savanna followed a visitor in to the home and tried to take the child. However, she was stopped before she could leave with the child, but got into an altercation with the foster parents.
Andrea McFarland's attorney would not discuss specifics, but said that the incident was not as it appears.
"It's a huge misunderstanding and it's not as it was portrayed in a previous news account," said Albert Gray, defense attorney. "I mean, we have a whole different side of this story, so we're anxious to tell our side of the story."
Blaine Jones, who represents Danielle Jackson, argued successfully against jail and both are free on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
"My client never ever, ever, not one single time had any intention of kidnapping anybody," said Jones. "You don't go from zero to 610. She's never been in trouble before. You don't just become this person who kidnaps folks."
Meanwhile, it was revealed at the arraignment that the little girl's mother is in Florida. She is driving back to Pittsburgh to turn herself in on Monday.
"So as soon as she got word there was a warrant, she made her way here," said Gray. "We got word there were warrants yesterday, we're here today so it's not like we're running from these charges."
All three defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week.
RELATED LINKS:
2 Women To Surrender In Bizarre Aliquippa Kidnapping Case (9/5/13)
More Aliquippa News
More Reports by Harold Hayes
