Charges laid after newborn baby abducted from west Ottawa home
Posted May 10, 2021 04:55:00 PM.
A 32-year-old Shawville, Quebec woman is facing a list of charges, including assault with a weapon, after the abduction of an eight-day-old baby in west Ottawa.
Ottawa police say the suspect visited the home of the newborn and his family on Sunday, around 1:40 p.m.
The woman had previously engaged with the mother of the child on a social media chat group for new mothers, and had brought a gift for the mother and newborn at her home on Friday.
Investigators say the woman returned to the family's house on Sunday, forced her way into the home and used bear spray on the homeowners before abducting the baby.
Police explain that neighbours were alerted by the activity and intervened. One neighbour was able to find the accused with the baby and detain her until police arrived.
The baby was attended to by Ottawa paramedics, who determined that he was unharmed.
Investigators believe the accused may have been in contact with other new mothers via social media mother groups.
Nicole Shanks, 32, of Shawville, Quebec, has been charged with:
- Administer noxious substance with intent to endanger life (three counts)
- Abduction of a person under fourteen
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace
- Break and Enter of a house with intent
- Assault with a weapon
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Harassment by watching and besetting
- Assault
Anyone with information regarding this abduction is asked to call the Sexual Assault Child Abuse Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
Police continue to investigate this incident.
