Mo. woman pleads, will be sentenced in stolen baby attack

A woman who slashed a young mother and kidnapped her newborn entered into a plea deal Friday, and the prosecutor revealed additional details of the 2006 attack — including that the victim was stabbed repeatedly and her toddler son was tied up.

Shannon Torrez, 38, of Lonedell, Mo., entered an Alford plea to one count each of child kidnapping, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. Under the arrangement, she does not admit guilt but concedes there is sufficient evidence for a guilty verdict.

Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence. Sentencing testimony is set to begin May 27.

Abby Woods was kidnapped Sept. 15, 2006. Authorities said the week-old-baby's mother, Stephenie Ochsenbine, then 21, allowed Torrez into the family home, where Abby lived along with her mother, her father, James Woods, and her brother, Connor.

The two women lived just a few miles apart in the rural area about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis but did not know each other.

Franklin County prosecutor Robert Parks said Friday that Torrez knocked at Ochsenbine's door, said her car broke down and asked to use the phone. Once inside, she asked to use the bathroom, then came out pointing a gun at Ochsenbine and said she was taking the baby.