Illinois kidnapping case set for pretrial hearing

JONESBORO, Ill. -- An Anna, Ill., woman accused of kidnapping an infant is set for a pretrial hearing next month.

Karen Nichols, 44, faces charges of aggravated kidnapping of a child younger than 13, armed robbery and aggravated unlawful restraint.

Nichols is accused of kidnapping a newborn baby in rural Union County.

At a hearing last month, a Union County circuit judge sustained a defense motion to have Nichols evaluated for fitness to stand trial, ruling there was "bona fide doubt" about her ability to assist in her own defense.

At a status hearing Tuesday, Nichols apparently was found competent to stand trial, as the case was set for a Sept. 17 pretrial hearing, according to the Union County circuit clerk's office.

A probable-cause affidavit filed in the case stated Nichols "knowingly and secretly confined B.M.S., a child under the age of 13 years, against his will."

The affidavit states she also took two mobile phones from another woman while threatening her with a knife.

According to a June news release from Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds, Nichols was arrested at her home in rural Anna after a Johnston City, Ill., woman reported the kidnapping of her newborn child from a location in rural Union County.

Officers investigating the report found Nichols with a child who was taken into protective custody before being reunited with his mother, the news release stated.

Aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery are Class X felonies punishable by six to 30 years in prison.

Aggravated unlawful restraint is a Class 3 felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Anna, Ill.

Jonesboro, Ill.