Spring Valley

A Spring Valley woman pleaded no contest Monday to stealing a 3-year-old boy.

Audrey Renee Jensen, 31, will probably be granted probation, Judge J. Richard Haden told her in San Diego Superior Court.

Haden dismissed charges of auto theft, resisting arrest and biting Sheriff’s Detective Robert Sams after Sams arrested her June 10 at the Hitching Post Motel in La Mesa.

Haden cited the agreement by the district attorney’s office not to oppose a sentence of one year or less as a reason Jensen is likely to get probation on Oct. 20, when she is to be sentenced. The maximum sentence is four years in state prison.

Jason Radi, 3, was found unharmed at the motel after being abducted from his parents’ home in Spring Valley June 9. Jensen also lived in the home with the boy’s parents, Kenneth Radi and Judy Keys.

“I didn’t think she had any intent to keep the kid. It’s not unusual for Renee to lose track of time,” said her attorney, Michael Butler.

Keys testified July 24 that Jensen had permission to take their car and Jason to the store for 15 minutes, but didn’t return.

KGTV (Channel 10) broadcast live coverage of the arrest and reunion, which prompted criticism from the Sheriff’s Department, Butler and Jensen. Butler said she would have returned the child earlier were it not for the publicity.

KGTV reporter Mark Matthews was found in contempt of court twice by Judge Robert Cooney during Jensen’s preliminary hearing when he refused to answer questions about his reporting on the incident.

Cooney ruled that his newsman’s shield privilege did not apply “because he was a participant witness.” Sentencing was delayed to allow Matthews to appeal.

However, Butler said Monday that the conclusion of the Jensen case might make Matthews’ conviction moot.

Jensen has remained in the Las Colinas County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail since her arrest.

Radi and Keys were placed on five years’ probation July 31 for welfare fraud and ordered to pay $5,276 back to the county. They were also ordered to participate in a 20-day public service work program.